SAINT LAWRENCE - DEACON AND MARTYR

Deacon and Martyr

Feast Day - August 10

Lived (255 - August 10, 258)

Patron Saint of Rome, Cooks, Poor People

The second Century was a difficult time for the early Christians. Pagan Rome was hostile against them - hostility at it's peak. Although, the newborn Church was still being faithful to the One who had given Himself for the life of the world, they continually did the work of redemption.

The Roman authorities charged the then Christians with "odium humani generis" [hatred of the human race]. They claimed to be citizens of a great empire, yet they were the ones who introduced abortion into the system, even the "exposure", the killing of unwanted newborns.

The day Deacon Lawrence experienced his birth from death to life was a doomsday in ancient Rome. Four days before that day, Bishop Sixtus of Rome was arrested by soldiers of emperor Valerian, along with his beloved deacons, and they were beheaded.

Valerian had issued an decree to the Roman Senate that all Christian clergy - bishops, priests and deacons - were to be arrested and executed. There were so many holy people among the martyrs of early Rome. That makes it even more remarkable that the life and death of this one humble deacon is attributed with all of Rome becoming Christianized.

According to the Christian tradition, Deacon Lawrence, knowing that the fervour of Valerians' hatred was extending to all Christians who owned property, he began to give it all away. He distributed the money and treasures of the Church to the city's poor, believing the clear admonition of the Saviour that they were blessed and especially loved by Him.

Emperor Valerian heard the news and wanted the treasure to satisfy his unbridled lust for worldly power. So he offered Deacon Lawrence a way out of sure death. If he would show him where the Church's great gold and silver were located, he would issue an order of clemency, sparing his life so that he could continue his work.

Valerian was excited when the deacon asked for three days to gather all the gold and silver of the Church together in a place! His pride and greed blinded him from seeing the truth.

For three days, Deacon Lawrence went throughout the city and invited all the beloved poor, handicapped, and misfortuned to come together. They all obeyed because they were being supported by a thriving early Christian community who understood the Gospel imperative to see Jesus in the poor.

When Emperor Valerian arrived, Deacon Lawrence presented him with the true gold and silver of the Church - the poor! The emperor became angry! Beheading was not just enough for this Christian Deacon. He ordered Deacon Lawrence burned alive, in public, on a griddle. Witnesses recorded the public martyrdom. The deacon cheerfully offered himself to the Lord Jesus and even joked with his executioners!

Tradition records massive conversions to the Christian faith as a result of the holy life and death of one Deacon who understood the true heart of his vocation. He was poured out, like his Master, Jesus Christ the Servant, in redemptive love, on behalf of others. It is still said to this day that all of Rome became Christian as a result of the faithful life, and the death, of this one humble deacon. He was buried in a cemetery on the Via Tiburtina. On that spot, Constantine would later build a Basilica.

A special devotion to Lawrence, deacon and martyr, spread throughout the entire Christian community. Early Christians had no doubt that those who had gone to be with the Lord continued to pray for those who still struggled in this earthly life. They saw in Lawrence a great example of how to live, and how to die, faithful to the Gospel.