St. Peter of Verona - April 29th
As a young boy, this Italian Saint learned of the Catholic Faith, although his parents were not Catholic. So well did he know his religion that no argument could make him change his mind. And so good a Catholic was he that no bad example led him into sin. He was still young when he entered the Dominican Order. St. Dominic himself gave him the holy habit. Later, as a priest, Peter traveled up and down Italy preaching and converting many people. However, before God gave him the grace of martyrdom, He permitted him to suffer very much. In fact, he was falsely accused of having received women into his cell. His Superiors scolded him very strongly for this, but the humble Saint did not defend himself. He was forbidden to preach any more, and he accepted this penance without a word of complaint. Yet deep in his heart, he suffered greatly. One night when he could not sleep, he fell to his knees in front of the crucifix and sobbed, “Jesus, You know I am pure and innocent. Why do You let me suffer like this?” Back came this answer from the crucifix: “And I, Peter, what did I do to deserve My passion and death?” That gave the Saint courage, and soon afterwards, his innocence was proved.
The enemies of the true Faith, too, made St. Peter suffer. They did all they could to stop him from preaching. Yet he continued without fear. At last he was attacked and murdered. Just before he died, he dipped his finger in his own blood and wrote on the ground: “I believe in God.” His murderer, a man named Carino, soon repented of his crime. He became a Catholic, joined the Dominican Order, and died a holy death.
When we recite the Apostles’ Creed, let us say it with all our heart, and be grateful to God for giving us the same Faith as the Saints had.
