The saint of today, April 6, is Saint Peter of Verona
Dominican priest and martyr
The life of the saint
He was born in Verona at the end of the century. XII in a heretical family, but already a boy they oppose his relatives. He studied atUniversity of Bologna where he then entered theDominican Order when S. Domenico was still alive. Since 1236 he has preached against heresy in many cities of Italy, but Milan was the main field of his public disputes with heretics which were accompanied by miracles and prophecies. In 1251 Pope Innocent IV he appointed him inquisitor for the cities of Milan and Como.
Heresy was widespread and difficult to eradicate. Precisely on Palm Sunday 24 March 1252 during a sermon he predicted his death at the hands of heretics. The leaders of the sects of the cities of Milan, Bergamo, Lodi and Pavia hired the killers of the time as executors. They prepared an ambush near Meda where Pietro and two other Dominicans were engaged in a mission a Farga. On the way, the April 6, 1252, the murderer with a scythe broke the head of Pietro and stabbed him with a knife in the chest, the other brother Domenico suffered several wounds; he died six days later in the Benedictine convent of Meda.
Peter’s body was immediately transported to Milan where he had a triumphal funeral and was buried in the Martyrs cemetery. There were news of many miracles including the conversion of the heretical bishop Daniele da Giussano, who had ordered his death, and of the murderer himself, who then entered theDominican Order. Eleven months later, on March 9, 1253, Pope Innocent IV he canonized him.