Blessed Peter Aldobrandini

The religious of this monastery having accused Peter of Pavia, A rchbishop of Fl orence, of simon y in 106 3, Peter Aldobrandini was chosen by his brothers to support this accusation through the ordeal by fire.

"Neither th e Pope (Alex ander II) nor the council (of Rome) had permitted the monks to justify themsel ves by the ord eal by fire, as they had offered. It was not the same for the people of Florence, who forced the religious to demonstrate the truth of their accusation by this means. A day was therefore set for this purpose, and, as soon as it arrived, an immense crowd of laypeople and priests, of men and women of every age and condition, gathered near the convent of Saint-Sauveur. There, two pyres, built by the people, rose up, ten feet long, five wide, and four high. They were separated by a path, strewn with dry and highly flammable wood."

In the church, hymns were sung and fervent prayers were addressed to heaven to know who, according to the abbot's orders, was to pass through the flames; the choice fell upon Peter, a monk of Vallombrosa, a m an of irrepr oachable conduct. Peter went to the altar to celebrate mass; all hearts were moved. Four monks then headed toward the pyres: the first carried the image of Christ, the second holy water, the third twelve blessed candles, and the fourth a vessel full of incense to light the fire. All raised their hearts to God for the success of this perilous undertaking.

As soon as the priest had finished the sacrifice, he took the Savior's cross and solemnly walked around the pyres, accompanied by the abbot and the monks; when he had approached the flames, the purpose of the ceremony was explained to the people. The fire was already lit, the flame crackled with ardor; the priest knelt before God, and begged Jesus Christ to allow him to pass through the flame safe and sound, if Bishop Peter was guilty. The people answered: Amen.

Finally, the monk made the sign of the cross over this burning furnace, grasped the crucifix, and, with a serene countenance, he passed through the flames without being touched: God and his faith protected him. When he reappeared at the other end, the people rushed toward him, fell to their knees, kissed his feet, considering themselves fortunate to be able to tear off a shred of his robe. It was with great difficulty that his brethren managed to free him from this crowd.

As soon as the Holy Father had learned of this event, he deposed the accused as having been convict ed. The monk Peter, who was n icknamed Igneus, attained great honors: he was bishop and cardinal.

We borrow this narrative from the History of Gregory VII, by the Prot estan t Voigt, transla tion by M. l'ab bé Jager.