A Piece of Peter of Verona's Heart

Relic of His Heart by Jane Lebak had me when I read that the angel wanted to find the relic of Peter of Verona.  Yes, this saint is known by all Dominicans as Peter Martyr.  He is the Order's first martyr.  This picture of him indicates that he is asking permission to speak.  He's not telling anyone to be quiet

because the cloister is quiet.  He's giving the signal to his prior, asking for permission to speak.  Most probably he will say, "Credo in Deum."  "I believe in God."  This is what Peter Martyr wrote on the ground, in his own blood, as he lay dying.

Relic of His Heart by Jane Lebak is an entertaining and interesting read.  There are two plots: one concerns midwifery and the trials and tribulations a midwife encounters (and that's pretty hairy), and the other plot concerns finding the relic of Peter Martyr and returning it to its proper home (and that's intense!)  The relic was stolen by American soldiers while they were Italy.  The soldiers ransacked the church and burned it down.  Returning the relic would give impetus to the town to rebuild the church.
       I was surprised by both plots.  You can not say you know how the stories end because you don't and you won't until the author ties everything together.  Then you want a sequel.  It's that good.

The novel ended with a quote from Josemaria Escriva that is a keeper.

"You say you've failed!  We never fail.  You placed your confidence wholly in God.  Nor did you neglect any human means.  Convince yourself of this truth: your success--this time,                                                             in this--was to fail.  Give thanks to our Lord...and try again!"                                                                                                      The  Way no. 404

Credo in Unum Deum.

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.