August 10: St. Lawrence

St. Lawrence was a deacon who served the Church in the third century. He was the caretaker of funds and dispenser of alms to those in need. He was a faithful disciple of Pope St. Sixtus and his martyrdom took place three days after that of his patron and mentor.

Tradition holds that St. Lawrence, anticipating his martyrdom, gave all the money in his care to the poor and the needy and the proceeds from the sale of the sacred vessels were distributed in like fashion. The “prefect of Rome” (in civil authority) believed that Lawrence had hidden still more of the Church’s treasures and he wanted to secure them for the emperor and himself. The “prefect” was angered when Lawrence showed him lepers, cripples, orphans, widows, the poor, and the lame as “the Church’s true treasures.” St. Lawrence was condemned to a slow, painful death. Indeed, after suffering a long time and praying for the conversion of Rome, he died.

As happens often in the Church’s history, the faith spread after St. Lawrence’s heroic testimony and many miracles were worked through his intercession. He has been one of the most venerated martyrs of the Roman Church since the fourth century. We continue this tradition today, honoring St. Lawrence, because he spent himself for the poor of the Church and because he suffered for the glory of God.

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