It always impressed me that Saint Peter Verona starting writing the Apostles Creed in his blood as he lay dying. He was the first martyr in the Order of Preachers. The Manichean heresy was rampant in the thirteenth century and Peter was such a good opponent of the heresy that he was killed to rid of him. Peter of Verona is also called Peter Martyr. He is often pictured with an ax or a sword in his head because that's how he was killed.
But I prefer the one with the finger to his lips. He could be saying "Ssshsss" to be quiet because he was accused of sexual impropriety and he said nothing to clear himself. He was taking the penance and also protecting a lady who would have been publically gossipped about.
But also when the Order of Preachers had a vow of silence, they would use the gesture of a finger to the lips to ask the prior for permission to speak. The gesture meant, "I have something to say." Indeed, Peter Martyr spoke eloquently. Credo in Unum Deum.
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