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Saint Peter Thomas
January 6, Bishop.

January 6, Bishop.


Source: Ocarm.org



Roman martyrology: Carmelite Latinpatriarch. Born in France and joined the Carmelites while still a young man. In 1342 he was appointed procurator of the order and, from Avignon, he oversaw the organization and government of the Carmelites.

Etymology: Peter is derived from the Greek Petros meaning "stone". Thomas is Greek form of the Aramaic name Ta'oma' which meant "twin”.


SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Born in Perigod, France, around 1305 into a very poor family. Upon the death of his brother, Peter Thomas, in order not to aggravate the family misery, left his parents and his younger sister while still a young man. He went on to the nearby town of Monpazier, forty-five kilometers from Bergerac. Here he attended school for about three years, living on alms and teaching younger pupils. He led the same type of life at Agen «for many years, until the age of twenty».

Saint Peter Thomas joined the Carmelite Order when twenty years of age.



He was Procurator General of the Order at the Papal Curia at Avignon and also an official preacher to the Curia there. In 1354, he was appointed bishop of Patti and Lipari. He acted as papal legate to the kings and emperors of his time, seeking to promote peace and to re-establish unity with the Eastern Churches. He was translated to other episcopal sees: in 1359 to that of Corinth in the Pelopennese with the role of papal legate in the East; then to Crete as archbishop in 1363 and finally to Constantinople in 1364 as Latin Patriarch.

Preached Crusade against the Turks throughout Serbia, Hungary, and Constantinople, and travelled with the armies. Enjoyed a reputation between both Catholic and Orthodox spheres as an apostle of Church unity. His efforts for the unity of the Church make this fourteenth century saint a precursor of ecumenism.

He took part in a military operation against Alexandria, Egypt, in 1365 during which he was severely wounded and while he was preparing to embark and return to the curia, when he caught cold during the Christmas feasts of 1365. His condition worsened on Dec. 28; and on Jan. 6, 1366, reduced to skin and bones, he piously ended his earthly life «at about the second hour of the night». After having distributed all his belongings. He died in the Carmelite convent of Famagusta.

* PRAYER
Lord, you inspired in your bishop St Peter Thomas
an intense desire to promote peace and Christian unity.
Following his example may we live steadfast in the faith
and work perseveringly for peace. We ask this through our Lord.

 








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