Because of his feverish schedule, many marveled at how St. Lawrence was able to develop such an intense prayer life. It is recorded that he hardly ever celebrated Mass without falling into ecstasy. He loved the Blessed Virgin, and his miracles occurred while invoking her name and asking for her intercession.
By Kimberly Bruce
No hardships restrained St. Lawrence of Brindisi (feast day: July 21) from tirelessly pursuing the spread of the Gospel of Christ and “calling the greatest number of people to eternal salvation.” This was according to Pope St. John XXIII, who in 1959 declared St. Lawrence a Doctor of the Catholic Church.
Saint Lawrence was “a great genius,” said Pope John in his apostolic letter Highness Out of Humility. The saint was able to combine philosophy and theology to explain “the thoughts of the mind with unique eloquence” and “ingenious concepts.”
Born Julius Caesar
Saint Lawrence was born on July 22, 1559, in Brindisi, Italy. He was given the name Julius Caesar by his parents, William and Elizabeth Russo. Owing to their early deaths, he was entrusted to the care of his uncle to be educated at the College of St. Mark in Venice.
At 16, he entered the Order of Capuchins and took the name “Brother Lorenzo.” He continued his philosophical and theological education at the University of Padua and, at 23, was ordained a priest.
A master of languages, St. Lawrence not only read and spoke fluent Italian and Latin but Hebrew, Greek, German, Bohemian, Spanish, and French as well! He was also an incredible orator, called upon to preach many sermons even while still a deacon.
General Definitor
As he moved up the ranks within his order, St. Lawrence held every office. He was general definitor in Rome from 1596-1602. As general definitor, he was responsible for assisting the vicar-general (head of the entire order) in the government of the order.
Pope Clement VIII also gave him the mission of instructing the Jewish people due to his great knowledge of Hebrew and his ability to reason. He successfully converted many Jews to the Christian faith. During this time, he also established Capuchin houses in Germany and Austria, and convents in Prague, Vienna, and Graz.
Saint Lawrence was made chaplain of the imperial army, and in 1601, was sent by Emperor Rudolph II to march against the Turks. Pitted against the Ottoman army, who were 80,000 strong, St. Lawrence roused his army of only 18,000 with a confidence-building speech. He led them into battle on horseback with a flaming crucifix in hand. Miraculously, he was not harmed, and the Turkish army suffered the loss of 30,000 troops.
A few days later, another battle took place, with St. Lawrence leading the way. This time, they completely defeated the Turks.
Countering the Reformation
In 1602, he was elected vicar-general (later referred to as “minister general”). After St. Lawrence refused a second term as vicar-general in 1605, Pope Clement sent him to evangelize Germany. This was during the Reformation when many Catholics were leaving the faith for Protestantism. Saint Lawrence, exuding holiness and with his mastery of words, convinced many who had fallen into heresy to return to the true faith. Numerous miracles accompanied his evangelization efforts.
Due to his excellent diplomatic, language, and arbitration skills, he was a man called upon to wear many hats. Commissioned both papal nuncio and ambassador for Madrid, St. Lawrence was then sent to Munich. He was also made commissary general of the Capuchin Order for the provinces of Tyrol and Bavaria, and appointed spiritual director for the Bavarian army.
Prayer life
Because of his feverish schedule, many marveled at how St. Lawrence was able to develop such an intense prayer life. But that he did. It is recorded that he hardly ever celebrated Mass without falling into ecstasy. He loved the Blessed Virgin, and his miracles occurred while invoking her name and asking for her intercession. His many sermons on Mary are contained within his Mariale, a compilation of 84 teachings addressing topics ranging from her Immaculate Conception to her Assumption. Within it, St. Lawrence honors Mary with almost 100 titles.
Immensely fatigued from his vigorous journeys and assignments, St. Lawrence passed away on his birthday in 1619 at the age of 60. He was canonized a saint Dec. 8, 1881, and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1959.
By inspiring “Catholics to piety” and converting those in the “mire of sins,” said Pope St. John XXIII, St. Lawrence shook them out of “their sluggishness by the force of his tears,” causing them to abdicate false doctrine and embrace truth.
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, pray for us!
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