DOMINICAN FAMILY
St. Peter of Verona (1206-1252) - Born in the city of Verona
into a family perhaps sympathetic to the Cathar heresy, Peter went
to a Catholic school, and later to the University of Bologna, where
he is said to have maintained his orthodoxy and at the age of fifteen,
met Saint Dominic. Peter joined the Order of the Friars Preachers
(Dominicans) and became a celebrated preacher throughout
northern and central Italy.
Torch
Winter/Lent #9, 2017
(Mar. 20-Mar. 25)
Peter preached against heresy, and especially Catharism, which
denied that God created the material world. Pope Gregory IX
appointed him General Inquisitor for northern Italy in 1234 and
Peter evangelized nearly the whole of Italy. He spent about six
months in that office and it is unclear whether he was ever involved
in any trials. His one recorded act was a declaration of clemency for
those confessing heresy or sympathy to heresy.
OPENING PRAYER
CHECK-IN
In his sermons he denounced heresy and also those Catholics who
professed the Faith by words, but acted contrary to it in deeds.
Crowds came to meet him and followed him; conversions were
numerous, including many Cathars who returned to orthodoxy.
THEME
The 5th Spiritual Work of Mercy
Because of this, a group of Milanese Cathars conspired to kill him.
They hired two assassins, including one named Carino, who
followed Peter to a lonely spot near Barlassina, and there killed him
and mortally wounded his companion, a fellow friar named
Domenico. Carino struck Peter's head with an axe and then
attacked Domenico. Peter rose to his knees, and recited the first
article of the Symbol of the Apostles (the Apostle's Creed),
“Credo,” and wrote it on the ground in his blood, offering sacrifice
to God. He offered forgiveness to Carino, who later converted and
became a Dominican brother. Peter died from the attack.
Instruct the ignorant
Counsel the doubtful.
Comfort the afflicted.
Admonish sinners.
*Forgive all injuries*
Bear wrongs patiently.
Pray for the living and the dead.
COLLATIO & OPERATIO
-Peter practiced the forgiveness that he preached, till the end. Do you
need to more closely align your actions with the faith you profess?
-Jesus says the one unforgivable sin is to deny God’s forgiveness. Do
you find it hard to forgive someone? Can God forgive them?
CLOSING PRAYER/PETITIONS
SEASON
2017 TORCH TIMELINE
SESSIONS
Winter/Lent Jan. 23-Apr. 10 (11weeks)
DAY OF REFLECTION
Mar. 25, 9am-3pm
LECTIO
A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins
against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven
times.
That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who
decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the
accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge
amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered
him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he
should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to
you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”
PRAEDICARE
SILENT PRAYER
meditatio: Focus your attention on a phrase, image, scene, or insight.
oratio: Speak to God directly from your heart; journal if you wish.
contemplatio: Rest in God’s presence, focus on a simple spiritual mantra.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient
with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion
the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who
owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to
choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his
knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will
pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison
until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were
deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole
affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked
servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity
on you?’
COLLATIO
All are invited to share their reflections one at a time.