St. Peter Chrysologus: Bishop and Doctor of the Church

St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor, ca. 406-450 A.D.

"The golden-worded"

Like St. John Chrysostom, who earned the surname "Chrysostom", which means "golden tongue", St. Peter Chrysologus also earned his surname "Chrysologus", which means "the golden-worded" or "golden-speaker", because of his great eloquence and preaching abilities.

Born at Imola and chosen bishop of Ravenna

St. Peter was born at Imola, Emilia, in Italy and studied Sacred Theology under Bishop Cornelius of Imola - who also ordained him as deacon. St. Peter's election as bishop of Ravenna was a surprise and founded on legend. The story goes like this. The people of Ravenna have already elected their bishop. However, Pope St. Sixtus III refused the one elected by the people and instead chose St. Peter Chrysologus. This was because of a vision the Pope had of St. Appolinarius (first bishop of Ravenna), who told him to choose Peter Chrysologus. That was the legend.

In his position then as bishop of Ravenna, St. Peter set out to reform his diocese and free it from paganism. His first sermon impressed the Empress Galla Placidia so much that she gave her all out support for Peter's ambitious building projects.

St. Peter Chrysologus' sermons

The homilies of St. Peter were short; he did not want to tire his listeners. But his sermons were greatly known as being powerful that he was named Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIII in 1729 A.D. Peter's sermons were collected by Bishop Felix of Ravenna in the eighth century. There are about one hundred seventy-six of these existing today. They cover biblical texts, the Apostles' Creed, sermons on the Blessed Virgin and other themes. Though these written sermons cannot indicate the intensity and fervor by which he preached and delivered them, there are of him preaching with such vehemence that he became speechless at certain times because of great excitement.

Feast day is July 30

In ca. 450 A.D., Peter received a revelation of his approaching death and decided to return to his home town in Imola. He died at Imola on July 31 and his feast is celebrated as an optional memorial in the Church's liturgical calendar every July 30.

His Lenten sermon and teaching

Probably one of his best sermons is the Lenten sermon he composed about prayer, fasting, and mercy. This Lenten sermon of St. Peter Chrysologus is also found in the non-biblical section of readings at the back pages of the breviary. What St. Peter says in this Lenten sermon is simple, but when applied to one's Christian life, is powerfully effective. He says in this sermon:

"There are three things, my brethren, by which faith stands firm, devotion remains constant, and virtue endures. They are prayer, fasting, and mercy. Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains, mercy receives. Prayer, fasting and mercy: these three are one, and they give life to each other."

Related resources:

• Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
• "A Year with the Saints" by Don Bosco Press, Inc.
• "Doctors of the Church" by Fink
• "Saints for Our Time" by Ransom

17th Sunday of the Year (A)

(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

July 27, 2014
Liturgical readings
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Psalm 119
Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 13:44-52

"The reign of God is like a merchant's search for fine pearls."

One of the favorite themes of Jesus' preaching is the "reign of God" or the "kingdom of heaven". Both point to an eternal reality - one that is gift and mystery. Since this truth is beyond our capacity to understand, the Lord refers to it by means of parables. Through parables, Jesus speaks familiar realities to ordinary people of His time. Parables give glimpses of what the kingdom of heaven is. Shepherds, merchants, and fishermen easily understand when the Lord speaks to them of "a buried treasure", "a merchant's search for fine pearls" and "a dragnet that collects all sorts of things from the lake".

In relation to this, the Catechism of the Church says that everyone is called to the kingdom of God, because the Catholic Church is an inclusive spiritual family. She wants to extend the good news of salvation to all. This good news is proclaimed daily in the Mass, and it is brought to mission lands where the faith has not yet taken root. As with Christ, the missionaries bring the good news of God's kingdom to the "shepherds", "merchants" and "fishermen" of our present generation. Hearing the good news, they learn the truth of the kingdom by becoming Christians (Catechism #543-546).

Many seasoned Catholics educated in Catholic schools, are fortunate due to their roots in family and school. Since youth, these seasoned Catholics have been educated with a world of meaning directed to what is essential - the "search for fine pearls". These pearls are simply the wisdom, joy, peace, and perseverance needed in the journey of faith and life. In these perilous times, these "spiritual pearls" can provide the vision and wisdom to follow the Lord's light, and avoid paths to darkness and sin. The practice of the Church and human experiences continue to shepherd seasoned Catholics towards God's kingdom. Seasoned Catholics are given much; and so they are required to contribute to the mission of the Church in any way they can.

Scripture quotes for reflection:
"We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His decree." (Romans 8)

Saints and Spiritual Friendship: by Neill, Chervin, Galilea

Saints as Great Friends

"Great Saints Great Friends" by Mary Neill, O.P., and Ronda Chervin, is a book on the lives of 11 Saints. Like Segundo Galilea in his book, "The Friendship of God", Neill and Chervin sees the Saints as sources of spiritual friendship in the interior life. The Saints author Segundo Galilea features in his book are:

St. Francis of Assisi,
St. Catherine of Siena,
Julian of Norwich,
St. Thomas More,
St. Ignatius of Loyola,
St. Francis Xavier,
St. Teresa of Avila,
St. John of the Cross,
St. Rose of Lima,
the Priest of Ars (John Vianney),
Cardinal John Newman,
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini,
St. Therese of Lisieux,
and Sts. Cecilia, Agatha, Agnes and Lucy.

Neill and Chervin, like Galilea, also write on

St. Francis of Assisi,
St. Catherine of Siena,
St. Thomas More,
St. Teresa of Avila,
St. John of the Cross,
and St. Therese of Lisieux.

The five other saints the two authors include, but which Segundo Galilea did not have in his selection are:

St. Paul the Apostle,
St. Thomas Aquinas,
St. Joan of Arc,
St. Bernadette of Lourdes
and St. Elizabeth Seton.

Segundo Galilea

In his book, Galilea's focus is not on the Saints themselves, but as an added feature and concluding section to his major topic, "The Friendship of God: Christianity as Friendship". Galilea presented a spirituality of friendship in the Christian faith, with human friendship as a window to see God's friendship with His people. The Saints Galilea selects in this book are his favorites, with whom he has special interests and devotions.

Dr. Ronda Chervin and Sr. Mary Neill, O.P.

These two authors divided the chapters of their book with each one writing on Saints they have a special devotion to. Chervin writes on St. Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Elizabeth Seton. Neill, on the other hand, writes on: St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Joan of Arc, St. Thomas More, St. Bernadette of Lourdes and St. Therese of Liseiux. Both authors have written well by showing how the Saints are not only holy, but human. It is their ardent commitment to Christ that has raised the level of their prayer and way of life to heights beyond the average Christian. These Saints are described by the two authors as "God Seekers", for they have sought the Lord with their whole mind, heart, soul and strength. It is by their perseverance in faith that they were able to create a profound impact on countless generations of men and women.

Presentation of each Saint's life and work:

Each chapter written by Chervin and Neill contains a brief description of each saint's life story. The description is then followed by a discussion on how each Saint's life influenced the modern believer. Both authors are able to capture the minds of the modern believer by their own journeys in life. Dr. Ronda Chervin is a wife, mother, professor, author and international lecturer. Sr. Mary Neill, OP, is a professor, workshop director, lecturer and co-director of Inner Explorations.

Excellent spiritual reading

Aside from the Scriptures, the lives of the Saints and other spiritual content reading help to reground one's state of life in what is truly important. Refocusing and recentering one's life in God is very important in a world that has a lot of distractions. Spiritual reading is the key to regain one's center in God. These two books by Neill and Chervin, and by Galilea will remind any soul that his relationship with God and the Church is a sure guide to what is important in one's life and work.