Saint Peter Damian, born in Ravenna, Italy, was a Benedictine monk and a Cardinal Bishop of Ostia. He was a known reformer of his time, and a writer of various treatises on Church doctrines, letters, prayers, and other religious texts. In 1828, he was declared a Doctor of the Church. His feast day is February 21.
The Italian poet Dante included St. Peter Damian in Paradiso, the third and final part of his Divine Comedy. Out of the Nine Spheres of Heaven, Dante assigns St. Peter Damian in one of the highest levels, the Seventh Sphere, which is the Sphere of Saturn or The Contemplatives, representing temperance. In their encounter, the Saint tells Dante about his life, and discusses with him about monasticism, predestination and corruption in the Church.
Aside from his focus on church and clerical reforms, St. Peter Damian especially devoted himself to the Mother of God, and wrote commentaries and composed prayers in honor of Mary whom he saw as the “Mother of Mercy.”
Here is one beautiful prayer to the Blessed Virgin, written by Saint Peter Damian.
Saint Peter Damian (far right) with Saint Augustine, in the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus, Saint Anne and Saint Elizabeth
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
by Saint Peter Damian
O turn toward us.
Have you perhaps forgotten us
because you have been elevated to a position close to God?
No, certainly not.
You know the miserable condition of your servants.
No, it would not benefit such great mercy as yours
with your power,
for He who is powerful
has made you omnipotent in heaven and on earth.
You can raise even those who are in despair
to a hope of salvation.
The more powerful you are,
the greater should be your mercy.
I know, O Mary, that you are all kindness,
and that you love us with a love
that no other love can surpass.
How often you appease the wrath of our Divine Judge,
when He is on the point of punishing us!
You will never cease to benefit us, I know,
for you are only seeking an opportunity to save all sinners,
and to shower your mercies upon them.
Your glory is increased when, through you,
penitents are forgiven and reach heaven.
so that we may also be able to go and see you in heaven.
For the greatest glory that we can have, after seeing God,
will be to see you,
and to be under your protection.
So be pleased to grant our prayer;
for your beloved Son wishes to honor you
by refusing nothing that you ask.
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