Saint Peter Gonzalez

Saint Peter Gonzalez

Les PetitsBollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin

St. Peter Gonzalez was a priest in the order of St. Dominic. He lived from 1190 to 1248.

King Ferdinand III, desiring to put the Moors out of his kingdom, called the famous preacher to his court to benefit from his counsels and prayers. Saint Peter, fortified by the confidence of the prince, was able to revitalize the faith of the court and the army. But jealous ones set a trap for him; a courtesan was sent to him, apparently to make her confession, but in reality to try to seduce him.

When he recognized her design, he went to an adjoining room and wrapping himself in his cloak, stood unharmed amid a great fire which he had lit there; then he called her to come. She and his false friends were converted at the sight of this prodigy, and thereafter all showed themselves filled with veneration for the priest.

May God grant each of us also the grace to be flee to Him and, like the Youths in the Furnace and St. Peter in the flames, become enrapt in the holy love of Christ which purges our flesh and soul from every impure impulse of the Enemy's vanities.