May 8th - St. Peter of Tarentaise By: Rona Roy

Today’s Saint of the day is Saint Peter of Tarentaise. He was born near Vienne, France in 1102. At the age of twenty, Saint Peter of Tarentaise joined a Cistercian monastery along with his father and brother. At the age of thirty, he was sent to serve as an abbot, the leader of the monastery of monks, in the Tarentaise Mountain. During his time there, he built crossroads and hospitals in the desert mountain for the sick and poor travelers. It soon became known as a resting place for travelers. Although he wanted to remain with the monastery, living a life of prayer and service, in 1142, he was appointed as the Archbishop of Tarentaise. As an archbishop, he helped reform the diocese and started a tradition called the "May Bread", which helped feed the poor living near the area. After serving as an archbishop for 13 years, Saint Peter of Tarentaise fled to a Cistercian Abbey in Switzerland and served as a lay brother. After he was forced to return back to Tarentaise, he continued to help the poor and sick. Saint Peter of Tarentaise was canonized by Pope Celestine III in 1191 and is the patron saint of Tarentaise.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

God, help us through the intercession of Saint Peter of Tarentaise to always help the poor and needy, by putting their needs before our own. Helps us lead a life of prayer that's dedicated to you.