During the long years of his life (born November 30, 1565; died, December 9, 1640) St. Peter was tireless in spending himself for others. He became a Canon Regular in the Augustinian Abbey of Chamousey and was ordained at twenty-four. A professor of theology, he knew the Summa of St. Thomas Aquinas by heart. In 1597, he was made parish priest at Mattaincourt, a district threatened by heresy. Not content with the work of preaching and instruction, he endeavored to better the economic condition of his people by developing a mutual help bank. He employed a unique method of instruction with telling effect, consisting of dialogues on the virtues opposed to the vices of the people and delivered by his pupils on Sundays. The Congregation of Notre Dame for women which he founded was brought to Canada by St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and has flourished there and in the United States. He was beatified in 1730 under Benedict XIII, and he was canonized by Leo XIII in 1897.

Reflection —"To harm no one and to help everyone" was the maxim of St. Peter Fourier. With such a motto our lives will abound in deeds of charity so that we will become "The good odor of Christ" in every place.

Taken from Father Alban Butler's "Lives of the Saints for Every Day in the Year — With Reflections" Copyright 1955.