Feast of SAINT ANDREW CORSINI

St. Peter Thomas died on January 6, 1366, after suffering for some months from severe injuries received during a battle against the Turkish Muslims. While he was formerly ranked among the martyrs, since his death was not immediate, he is now ranked among the confessors. His feast is commemorated in the current Roman Martyrology on the 6th of January, and an optional memorial may be celebrated on January 8th according to the current Discalced Carmelite Calendar.

PRAYER.

WE beseech Thee, O Lord! 
that, being appeased by the intercession and merits 
of Saint Peter Thomas, Thy Martyr and Pontiff, 
Thou wilt grant us the pardon of our sins, 
and keep us free from the ravages of pestilence.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit
one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

LESSON IV.

Peter Thomas was born at Condom, in Aquitania, and he showed a taste for letters from his infancy. He was remarkable for his extraordinary piety, as well as for especial devotion towards the Blessed Virgin; and he accordingly took, in the monastery of Condom, the habit of the sacred and ancient Order of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, under the title of Mount Carmel. Having taken his vows in this Order, he resolved to control all the desires of the senses by fasting, watching, meditation, and prayer, that he might not overstep, even in light matters, the prescription of his Rule. Having been made priest, he was sent under obedience to Paris to pursue his studies. There he so far surpassed his companions, that he shortly obtained the degree of Doctor in Theology, with the highest honors. After this distinction he gave himself to prayer with greater earnestness than before, and by his progress in every virtue he grew in holiness day by day.

LESSON V.

His devotion towards God and the Blessed Virgin, as well as his confidence in them, was such that he offered every act to God and to the Mother of God; and whatever might be the need in which he found himself, he called upon the Blessed Virgin. Once, while he was visiting a certain monastery, he was filled with anxiety about the means of relieving its poverty, and when he sought the accustomed and secure protection of the Blessed Virgin, he was rewarded by hearing her say, “Fear not, Peter; all things necessary shall be added to thee.” The next day after Mass, a certain merchant bestowed upon him, in alms, the ten pieces of gold which were nedded at the moment, and he found from that time forward that he was divinely supplied with everything needful. He used to pour forth many prayers to God and to the Blessed Virgin that his Order might be forever preserved and increased, heaving deep sighs while he prayed; and once, upon the night of Pentecost, when he was imploring this favor with greater earnestness than usual, the Blessed Virgin honored him with this wonderful answer: “Take courage, Peter; the Order of Carmelites is destined to endure unto the end of the world, for Elias, the founder thereof, hath already long since gained this favor even from my Son.”

LESSON VI.

Peter was made Bishop of Patti, and shortly afterwards Patriarch of Constantinople. From that time his heart turned to the shores of the East, and he would often visit, in spirit and in desire, the Holy Sepulchre of our Lord and Mount Carmel. Soon, however, fired with unbounded zeal for the salvation of the sheep intrusted to him, and impatient of longer delay, he girded himself for the journey. He was sent as Legate of the Holy See to secure freedom of travel to the Holy Land, and he greatly aided this holy work by his judgment and unwonted prudence. Often present with the King in battle, he gained more than one victory over the enemy. While he was firmly following up his efforts for the spread of the Catholic faith, and for its defence against the infidels, he was pierced with their arrows, and fell, covered with wounds. Such was the happy death of this martyr of Christ, who, full of days and of good works, passed away on the eighth of the Ides of January, on the day and at the hour which he had himself foretold, and in the year one thousand three hundred and sixty-six. He left many writings behind him. His body was carried to Famagusta, where it is piously honored. This man of God was glorified by many miracles in life and in death, and the inhabitants of Famagusta particularly, feel the effects of his protection, which they devoutly implore against epidemic and pestilence.

Taken from the book “Saints of Carmel” (BOSTON: JOHN CASHMAN & CO., 1896).

SECOND READING

A reading from the Life of Saint Peter Thomas, by his secretary, Philip of Mezieres

The patriarch's last days on earth

AS THE FEAST of Christmas drew near, my father presided in person at the divine services. In the middle of the night which ushered in the feast he made his way from the Carmelite monastery where he was staying to the cathedral of Famagosta for the solemn celebration of Matins. He celebrated with full solemnity the three Masses of Christmas, but was affected by the cold and caught an infection in the throat, for he was weakened by fasting and vigils and wore only light clothing, following the example of the holy fathers of the desert.

During the following days he offered Mass daily but was evidently trying to conceal his illness. On the Tuesday the fever became critical. He made a general and particular confession, and spoke affectionately with his household. Then turning to the cross he adored and kissed it, and with joined hands fervently asked forgiveness of all his confreres, a gesture which moved them to tears. My brothers and friends, he said, what toils and dangers you have met with in my service -hunger and thirst, cold and unexpected trials. I have never given you the recognition or the recompense you deserve, and yet you were kind enough to bear with me and my shortcomings. How often for me you faced real risk of your lives! How can I repay you? Forgive me, I beg you to forgive me.

Then he asked that the sacred Body of the Lord be brought to him, and he received communion with reverence and unfeigned faith. At the end of that day, at the sixth hour of the night, he asked that the bishop of Laodicea, who was vicar of the diocese of Famagosta, should come in his pontifical vestments accompanied by the clergy of the cathedral to anoint him with the oil of the sick. Meanwhile he summoned his own household and put on the symbols of his episcopal office. Despite his weakness he sought out the office of anointing with his own hand and, having found the right place, followed attentively the preliminary prayers. After this he lay down on some sackcloth spread on the ground and waited calmly for the arrival of the bishop.

When they heard the bishop coming with all his clergy he began to recite the penitential psalms in a loud, clear voice suggestive of a man in full health: Lord, rebuke me not in your anger. With those around him making the responses he continued till about halfway through the seven psalms. At last, however, his strength gave out, though his mind remained clear, and he signalled to his vicar-bishop to join in and support him, and thus the whole seven psalms were completed. As the vicar anointed him with the holy oil he managed to make all the responses of the ritual, striving to keep from the eyes of others the threadbare tunic and scapular he always wore.

When the anointing was finished, my father devoutly recited the Confiteor and received absolution from the bishop. He humbly asked forgiveness of him, his household and all the assisting clergy if he had in any way offended them in the exercise of his office, and at the same time he requested them to ask on his behalf the same pardon of all the inhabitants of Cyprus and elsewhere. Finally, he gave up his soul to the God who made him. It was the sixth day of January in the year of our salvation thirteen hundred and sixty-six.

Taken from the current O.Carm Proper of Saints for the Feast of Saint Peter Thomas.