St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Feast day: July 30
St. Peter Chrysologus, named “the golden word” for his poignant and well-expressed homilies is also exemplary for acting as a father to the people he shepherded as Archbishop of Ravenna during the fifth century, when Ravenna, not Rome, was the capital of the Roman Empire in the West. Born in 406, St. Peter Chrysologus was later named a Doctor of the Church in 1729 for what he conveyed in his sermons.
Starting out as an adult convert to Christianity, St. Peter Chrysologus lived a simple life of asceticism and prayer as a monk when he was unexpectedly named archbishop. In this new role, he strove to improve his diocese through numerous tasks to make it more Christian: care for the poor, eliminating traces of paganism through catechesis, rooting out clerical abuses, and standing up to Christological heresies in his time. He also made improvements to his city’s cathedral and had new churches built. In convincing his flock to live Catholic lives, St. Peter Chrysologus reminded them of how much God loves each and every one of them as if none other existed.
“O man, why do you think so little of yourself when God thinks so highly of you? Why dishonor yourself when God so honors you? Why be so concerned with the stuff from which you are made and so little with the purpose for which you are made? All visible creation is your home. For you the light dispels the darkness; for you the sun, moon, and stars shed their light; for you the earth bears flowers and trees and fruits; for you the air and the earth and water are filled with marvelous life — all so that earthly life may not be sad and make you blind to the joy of eternity,” so spoke St. Peter Chrysologus in one of his homilies.
He also beautifully discussed the mystery of the Incarnation and the Apostles’ Creed and dedicated a series of homilies to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to St. John the Baptist. Two of the most well known contributions in his sermons were efforts to encourage his people to receive the Eucharist as often as possible and to accept Christ’s forgiveness. His discussion on forgiveness was expressed as follows:
“Listen to the Lord’s appeal: In me, I want you to see your own body, your members, your heart, your bones, your blood. You may fear what is divine, but why not love what is human? You may run away from me as the Lord, but why not run to me as your father? Perhaps you are filled with shame for causing my bitter passion. Do not be afraid. This cross inflicts a mortal injury, not on me, but on death. These nails no longer pain me, but only deepen your love for me. I do not cry out because of these wounds, but through them I draw you into my heart. My body was stretched on the cross as a symbol, not of how much I suffered, but of my all-embracing love. I count it no less to shed my blood: it is the price I have paid for your ransom. Come, then, return to me and learn to know me as your father, who repays good for evil, love for injury, and boundless charity for piercing wounds.”
St. Peter Chrysologus is also known for defending papal authority as he countered heresies, and he became an advisor to Pope Leo I. The devotion of St. Peter to both Christ and his Church can be summed up in his familiar saying: “He who wants to laugh with the devil cannot rejoice with Christ.”
Reflection
Dear Jesus, thank you for the men who are fathers to us in this life. Thank you, God, for their advice and defense of your teaching no matter the circumstances.
Prayer
O God, who made the Bishop Saint Peter Chrysologus
an outstanding preacher of your incarnate Word,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may constantly ponder in our hearts
the mysteries of your salvation
and faithfully express them in what we do.
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.
