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POPE-AUDIENCE Oct-14-2009 (430 words) With photos. xxxi
Medieval abbot an example of love for God and neighbor, pope says
By Sarah Delaney
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The ability of a 12th-century French abbot to unite love of God and neighbor with pragmatism in everyday life is a worthy quality for Christians today to strive for, Pope Benedict XVI said.
The pope praised Peter the Venerable, who led the powerful Benedictine abbey in Cluny, France, for more than 30 years, for his ability to maintain inner tranquillity while guiding his monastery and order through tumultuous times.
At his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square Oct. 14, Pope Benedict once again employed the example of an exceptional figure from the past to illustrate universal traits that contemporary Christians should cultivate.
Peter the Venerable was born around 1094 in Auvergne, France, and died in his abbey on Christmas Day, 1156. He was known for his "mildness, equilibrium, lucidity and special ability to mediate," the pope said.
He could be severe in the running of his monastery, but was so attentive to his monks that "they all confided in him, certain that they would be welcomed and understood," Pope Benedict said.
Peter described his own nature as "leaning toward indulgence, inciting me to the habit of forgiveness," the pope said.
Faced with the delicate task of managing the abbey "among powers and lords," Peter was able to "preserve a tranquil life thanks to his sense of balance and his realism," Pope Benedict said. He is credited with reforming the abbey and being an influential figure both in his order and as a papal counselor and envoy.
"He's a model for both monks and Christians of our time, which is characterized by frenetic rhythms and examples of intolerance, incommunicability, division and conflict," the pope said. The study of his life encourages the faithful "to unite love for God and love for our neighbor and to never tire of opening the door to reconciliation," he said.
The pope said Peter was open not only to his own neighbors but also to other faiths, especially Judaism and Islam, and he stood out from his contemporaries by studying Islam from original sources and commissioning their translation.
Peter was the author of many important writings on the Eucharist and Mary, "using paper to spread the seeds of the Word," the pope said.
His admirers and his order honored Peter the Venerable, also known as Peter of Montboisson, as a saint, but he has never been canonized.
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Editor's Note: The text of the pope's audience remarks in English will be posted online at: www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20091014_en.html.
The text of the pope's audience remarks in Spanish will be posted online at: www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20091014_sp.html.
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Copyright (c) 2009 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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