The Poetry of St. Peter Damian

by Michael D. Klein M.D.

The Poetry of St. Peter Damian

by Michael D. Klein M.D.

Saint Peter Damian (1007-1072) was a classically trained academic in Ravenna who underwent a conversion and committed to the eremitic life. His intellect and energy and deep spirituality, however, led him to leader positions both in his monastery and in the service of the popes. He is known as a reformer, especially campaigning for priestly celibacy and against simony. Many of his works have been preserved, mostly as letters although many are really books or treatises, and have been translated into English. He also wrote much verse, of which there is only one (difficult to access) English translation. This website aims to correct that.

It is intended for free use by anyone interested in the poetry of St. Peter Damian. I have collected all his verse that I could find, and I have provided both the Latin and my own fairly literal English translations. I do not claim to have infused these translations with poetry.

This remains a work in progress. I continue to add poems and revise translations.