St. Peter of Verona

St. Peter of Verona

St. Peter of Verona was an inquisitor and martyr.  He was born at Verona, Italy, in 1205. Both of his parents were Catharists, a heresy that denied God created the material world.  Even so, Peter was educated at a Catholic school and later at the University of Bologna.  While in Bologna, Peter was accepted into the Dominican Order by St. Dominic.  He developed into a great preacher, and was well known for his inspiring sermons in the Lombardy region.  In addition, around the year 1234, he was appointed by Pope Gregory IX as inquisitor of Northern Italy, where many Catharists lived.  Peter's preaching attracted large crowds, but as inquisitor he made many enemies.

In 1252, while returning from Como to Milan, he was murdered at the age of forty-six by a Catharist assassin.  The following year, he was canonized by Pope Innocent IV.  Although his parents were members of a heretical sect, St. Peter of Verona was strong in his Catholic Faith. However, his faithfulness to the Gospel message in his preaching as a Dominican, brought about much opposition, and eventually Peter paid with his life for preaching the truth.  He was named the patron saint of inquisitors.

His feast day is April 29th.