October 5th: Blessed Peter Pattarini of Imola

Prior of The Order of St John of Jerusalem

Memorial

He was born about 1250 at Imola (Italy) into the family of the lords of Linasio. An able lawyer, at Romagna in 1297 he mediated between the Guelphs (supporting papal authority) and the Gibelines (supporting imperial authority), the factions in Italy in the exceedingly disruptive political and military struggle between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor. He became a knight of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and was elected Grand Prior at Rome. He devoted great energy to caring for the sick at Florence where he died on October 5th, 1320. He was buried in the Church of Saint James in the Campo Corbolini.

Blessed Peter, you were a peace maker in a Christendom torn by internal political struggles. Pray for just and lasting peace in our world today, torn by vicious conflicts between seemingly irreconcilable political, social and religious factions.

Collect

O God, who gave to blessed Peter, Prior of our Order, the gift of healing discord and division, grant to us through his prayers the grace of striving for peace and so being called the children of God. Through the same Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

This information was provided by Fra’ James-Michael von Stroebel. Click here to view the complete Calendar of Liturgical Celebrations Proper to the Order.

Pictured above is the Blessed Peter Pattarini of Imola.