Peter of Verona

Who they were

Peter was born at Verona in 1206 to parents who belonged to the Cathar heresy. Sent to a Catholic school and then to the University of Bologna, he met St Dominic there and joined the Order of Preachers. Gregory IX made him an inquisitor to oppose the Cathar errors, and he preached through almost the whole of Italy - Rome, Florence, Bologna, Genoa, Como - drawing crowds and many conversions, and denouncing Catholics whose deeds denied the faith they professed.

Returning from Como to Milan in 1252, he was attacked by a hired assassin, Carino, who struck his head with an axe. Rising to his knees he recited the first article of the Creed and, dipping his fingers in his own blood, wrote on the ground 'Credo in Deum'. The murderer then stabbed him through the heart. He died on 6 April 1252.

The miracles

Miracles attributed to him in life multiplied after his martyrdom, and he was canonised within a year; the details examined are not given in the sources we have used.

Why that counted as sanctity

Peter, born into heresy, gave his life to preaching the Catholic faith, and died professing the Creed in his own blood.

Connected on this site

• Carino of Balsamo Blessed
  “Blessed Carino Pietro of Balsamo (died 1293), sometimes called Saint Acerinus, was the murderer of Saint Peter of Verona ("Peter Martyr") who later repented his actions and became a Dominican lay brother.” — Wikipedia