Saint Peter Damian was an 11th-century Benedictine monk and cardinal. He was known for his rigorous ascetic practices.
According to Catholic News Agency,
“Peter excelled in school while also taking up forms of asceticism, such as fasting, wearing a hair shirt, and spending long hours in prayer with an emphasis on reciting the Psalms. He offered hospitality to the poor as a means of serving Christ, and eventually resolved to embrace voluntary poverty himself through the Order of Saint Benedict.”
The Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Peter Damian on February 21.
Nowadays, Saint Peter Damian is commonly known as a Doctor of the Church, but did you know that intercession is thought to aid in a common modern-day problem?
Saint Peter Damian is the patron saint of sleep difficulties!
For those struggling with sleeplessness, he can be a source of comfort, as he is familiar with the trials of insomnia. He is also versed in maintaining interior peace amid times of inner restlessness.
How did Saint Peter Damian become the patron saint of insomnia and other sleep issues?
Although he has not been named the official patron of sleep difficulties (there is not one), his intercession is allegedly sought based on two factors.
First, legend says this powerful saint spent so many hours deep in prayerful thought while working on his studies, that he was left with very little time to sleep. It became a sort of penance for him.
Other stories tell of his workaholic lifestyle leading to insomnia. It is also thought that Saint Peter Damian earned this unofficial title based on his writings regarding the importance of rest in developing a spiritual life.
Here is a prayer for the intercession of Saint Peter Damian:
Saint Peter Damian, who sacrificed sleep for the love of God, understands the struggles of sleeplessness. Just as you faced long nights filled with prayer and penance, seeking solace in God’s presence, I ask for your intercession as I seek rest and peace in the quiet of the night.
Help me to surrender my worries and anxieties to the Lord, and to find comfort in His embrace. Grant me the grace to trust in God’s plan, as you did, and to experience the restful sleep my body and soul need. Through your prayers, may I awaken refreshed and renewed, ready to serve God with a peaceful heart, following your example of unwavering faith and dedication.