Feastday: March 4
Death: 1123
Benedictine bishop. Born at Salerno, he entered the Benedictines and was a monk at Cava, in southern Italy Sent to Cluny in 1062, he spent six years there and then was named bishop of Policastro in 1079. This office was not to his temperament, and he resigned to return to Cava where he was appointed coadjutor abbot. His first effort at being abbot was troubled with difficulties as the monks found his rule too severe. He departed the house of Cava for a time, but then came back at the request of the monks, and distinguished himself with renewed leadership, care, and wisdom. Through him, Cava became the center of numerous and thriving Benedictine houses.
Peter of Pappacarbone (Italian: San Pietro di Pappacarbone) (died 4 March 1123) was an Italian abbot, bishop, and saint. He was abbot of La Trinità della Cava, located at Cava de' Tirreni. Born in Salerno, he had first been a monk at Cava under Leo I of Cava. He then was at Cluny from 1062 to 1068 and later became bishop of Policastro in 1079.
He later resigned his see and returned to Cava. Abbot Leo I appointed him coadjutor. When Peter became abbot himself, his administration was so strict that he caused strife in the abbey. He thus withdrew temporarily before being recalled and serving for several decades as abbot until his death. He was succeeded by Constabilis, who had served as Peter's coadjutor.
Veneration
The first four abbots of Cava were officially recognized as saints on December 21, 1893, by Pope Leo XIII. The first four abbots are Alferius (Alferio), the founder and first abbot (1050); Leo I (1050–79); Peter of Pappacarbone (1079–1123); and Constabilis.
Notes
- ^ San Constabile (Costabile)
