Peter Damian: Letters 121–150

by Peter Damian

Publisher:

Catholic University of America

, 2004

Overview

This volume, the fifth in the series of volumes containing the 180 letters written by the eleventh-century monk Peter Damian, contains careful and annotated translations of Damian’s Letters 121–150. Written during the years 1062–66, the letters deal with a wide variety of subjects and provide a contemporary account of many of the controversies of the gripping period in the history of church and state. While previous volumes have included Damian’s correspondence to a range of people from simple hermits in his community to abbots, bishops, cardinals, Pope Alexander II, and young King Henry IV, this collection of letters includes several addressed to kinsmen. Letter 123 is Damian’s rather lengthy exhortation to his nephew Damianus encouraging him to seek a pure and virtuous monastic life. Letter 132, written to his nephew Marinus, contains a comprehensive discussion of the virtues proper to the monastic life. And Letter 126 to Alberic of Monte Cassino, presents a good example of Damian’s principles of biblical exegesis.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Pay no heed to those who are negligent, but give close attention to monks who are zealous and careful about their soul.” (Page 66)

“Never become ambitious, moreover, to be elected superior, so that when you come to die, you are unaware of your own vocation.” (Page 65)

“with these words on his lips, he died, and left the brothers with an unfavorable opinion of his future.” (Pages 65–66)

“most comprehensive discussion of the virtues proper to the monastic life.” (Page 57)

Product Details

• Title: Peter Damian: Letters 121–150
• Author: Peter Damian
• Series: The Fathers of the Church: Mediaeval Continuation
• Volume: 6
• Publisher: Catholic University of America
• Print Publication Date: 2004
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Peter Damian, Saint, 1007-1072 › Correspondence; Christian saints › Italy--Correspondence
• ISBN: 081321372
• Resource ID: LLS:LTTRSPTRD121150
• Resource Type: text.monograph.letters
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:17:50Z

About Peter Damian

Saint Peter Damian, O.S.B. (Petrus Damiani, also Pietro Damiani or Pier Damiani; c. 1007 – February 21/22, 1072) was a reforming monk in the circle of Pope Gregory VII and a cardinal. In 1823, he was declared a Doctor of the Church. Dante placed him in one of the highest circles of Paradiso as a great predecessor of Saint Francis of Assisi.