Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Peter of Tarentaise.

There were two people named Saint Peter of Tarentaise, each of whom lived in a different century. The person we’re honoring today is the elder Peter, who was born in early 12th-century France. The other man later became a pope named Innocent the Fifth.

The Peter on whose life we’re concentrating today became a Cistercian monk and later held the position of abbot. He was appointed archbishop of Tarentaise in 1142, replacing a corrupt bishop. Peter was eager to start his new task. He removed an inefficient clergy, introduced reform to his diocese, and helped the underprivileged. He routinely traveled throughout his hilly diocese.

After serving as a bishop for roughly ten years, Peter “disappeared” for a year and lived in seclusion as a lay brother at a monastery in Switzerland. Once they found him, they managed to convince the bishop, who was hesitant to return to his post. Again, the underprivileged were the center of most of his attention.

Peter passed away in 1174 while returning from a fruitless papal mission to make peace between the kingdoms of France and England. September 14 is his liturgical feast day.

Source: franciscanmedia.org