St. Peter of Tarantaise
Feastday: May 8
1102 - 1175
Cistercian
archbishop. Peter was born near Vienne, in Dauphine, France, and joined
the Cistercian Order at Bonneveaux at the age of twenty with his two
brothers and father. Known for his piety, at age thirty he was sent to
serve as the first abbot of Tamie, in the Tarantaise Mountains, between Geneva and Savoy. There he built a hospice for travelers. In 1142, he was named the archbishop
of Tarantaise against his wishes, and he devoted much energy to
reforming the diocese, purging the clergy of corrupt and immoral
members, aiding the poor, and promoting education. He is also credited
with starting the custom of distributing bread and soup the so called
May Bread just before the harvest, a custom which endured throughout France
until the French Revolution. After thirteen years as bishop, Peter
suddenly disappeared. Eventually he was discovered serving as a lay
brother in a Cistercian abbey in Switzerland and was convinced to return to Tarantaise and resume his episcopal duties. Trusted as an advisor by popes and kings, he defended papal rights in France and was called upon to assist in bringing about a reconciliation between King Louis VII of France and then Prince Henry II of England. Peter was canonized in 1191. He should not be confused with Peter of Tarantaise, who became Pope Innocent V.