Wise words of advice for modern-day life from Saint Peter Damian

 

 “Receive the Body and Blood of Christ very frequently. The sight of a Christian’s lips red with the Blood of Christ terrifies the enemy. He immediately recognizes the sign of his own ruin. He cannot stand the instrument of divine victory by which he was taken captive and cast down.”

― St. Peter Damian

“We hold our tongues in check because if they are undisciplined they empty the soul of the strength of heavenly grace, and weaken its healthful vigour.”

—St. Peter Damian

“The enormity of anger’s contagion becomes clear from this, that we are prevented from associating with an angry man, that he seems to be struck down, I might say, by a kind of excommunication based on the sentence of some ancient law that excludes him from the company of his fellows. For Solomon said, “Never make friends with an angry man, be careful not to learn his ways, or you will find yourself caught in a trap.” And again, “Better to live in a corner of the housetop than to live with a nagging wife.”

—Quote from Saint Peter Damian's Letter 80 On the Vice of Anger 

“The best penance is to have patience with the sorrows God permits. A very good penance is to dedicate oneself to fulfill the duties of everyday with exactitude and to study and work with all our strength.”

—St. Peter Damian

“Do not be depressed. Do not let your weakness make you impatient. Instead, let the serenity of your spirit shine through your face. Let the joy of your mind burst forth.”

— St. Peter Damian

“He pours light into our minds, arouses our desire and gives us strength… As the soul is the life of the body, so the Holy Spirit, is the life of our souls.”

— St. Peter Damian

“When you are scorned by others and lashed by God, do not despair. God lashes us in this life, to shield us from the eternal lash, in the next.”

— St. Peter Damian 

“May Christ be heard in our language, may Christ be seen in our life, may he be perceived in our hearts.”

— St. Peter Damian 

Prayer

Saint Peter Damian, your reform of the Church began in your own monastery cell. You never asked of others what you did not demand first of yourself. You even endured the detraction and calumny of your peers. Help us to reform others by our example, learning, perseverance, mortifications, and prayers.

Prayer to St. Peter Damian

Saint Peter Damian, reformer of the Church, scourge of the wicked, come to our aid with your prayers! Great Doctor of the Church, intercede on our behalf before the throne of God. By your prayers and intercession, help us, O hater of sin, to fly from evil and embrace what is good. We also ask, great saint, that you intercede for this special intention: (state your request). Pray for us, O monk, O cardinal, O servant of God! Amen.