St. Peter the martyr was born at Verona, in 1205, of parents infected with the heresy of the Cathari, a sort of Manichees, who had insensibly made their way into the northern parts of Italy during the quarrel between the emperor Frederick Barbarossa and the holy see. God preserved him from the danger which attended his birth, of being infected with heretical sentiments.

His father being desirous of giving him an early tincture of learning, sent him, while very young, to a Catholic schoolmaster, not questioning but by his own instruction afterwards, and by the child”s conversing with his heretical relations, he should be able to efface whatever impressions he might receive at school to the contrary. Continue reading →