Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Or Optional Memorial of Saint Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

On Wednesday of this week, together with the universal Church, we received ashes and thus began the season of Lent. Today, the Church celebrates the optional memorial of St. Peter Damian.

St. Peter Damian born around 1007 in Ravenna, Italy, into a large but poor noble family, was the youngest son. He lost his father at an early age and was initially taken in by one of his brothers, who mistreated him and did not feed him enough. Some years later, another brother, Damianus, who was a canon in Ravenna, took pity on him and arranged for him to receive an education. Thus, Peter added his brother’s name to his own surname. The saint made rapid progress in his studies of theology and canon law, being educated successively at the university of Ravenna, Faenza, and Parma. By the age of 25, he had become a renowned teacher in both Parma and Ravenna.

Around 1035, he renounced his secular career and, refusing to compromise with the luxurious lifestyle of the Cluniac monasteries, entered the hermitage of Fonte Avellana near Gubbio. During his novitiate and as a monk, the saint displayed great zeal, which led him to extremes of self-mortification in his ascetic life, so much so that his health suffered and he developed insomnia. After recovering, he was appointed as a lecturer for the monks. Subsequently, at the request of Guy of Pomposa (Guido d’Arezzo) and the abbots of nearby monasteries, he taught their monks for two or three consecutive years, and around 1042, he wrote a biography of Romuald for the monks of Pietrapertosa. Upon returning to the Monastery of Fonte Avellana, he was appointed steward of the monastery, and later became its prior, serving until his death in February 1072.

On September 27, 1828, Pope Leo XII declared him a Doctor of the Church.

In today’s Gospel from St. Luke, we see Jesus calling Levi, who immediately left his profession and followed Jesus. The Pharisees and their scribes criticized Jesus for dining with Levi and those they considered public sinners. Sometimes, we too are like those Pharisees and scribes who criticized Jesus, compromising with the world’s values that exalt luxury, to the point where we cannot see the image of God.

Today, Levi gave up everything to follow Jesus completely and became His disciple; St. Peter Damian did even more so. Both set an example for us. Therefore, let us imitate their virtues, courageously abandon our attachments, follow Christ, and journey toward holiness.

Almighty ever-living God, look with compassion on our weakness and ensure us your protection by stretching forth the right hand of your majesty. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica