St. Lawrence History

St. Lawrence, also spelled Laurence, was the head of the seven deacons of Rome. These deacons were assigned the job of enforcing the budget for the church which included the care of the needy and poor of Rome.

While carrying on his duties as a deacon in Rome, the emperor Valerian began persecuting the clergy. The property of the Church was taken and any gatherings by Christians were forbidden. In 258 A.D., Valerian had Bishop Sixtus II and almost all his clergy executed. Saint Lawrence did not escape this fate. He was martyred on August 10, 258.

St. Lawrence the Martyr

Before being executed, St. Lawrence had all the money of the Church given to faithful stewards. He gathered all the poor and sick of Rome and brought them to the prefect saying, "These are the treasures of the Church." The prefect was infuriated because St. Lawrence did not bring the Church's, money to him and ordered him to be roasted alive.

St. Lawrence remained calm during his martyrdom and as he was burning, St. Lawrence said, "You may turn me over. I am done on this side." Because of his courage, many Romans converted to Christianity.

St. Lawrence Venerated

St. Lawrence is venerated in many Catholic Churches today. Catholics wear a St. Lawrence medal or a St. Lawrence medallion, praying for his intercession. They ask him for the strength to remain true to their faith just as he did while roasting alive.

Many Catholics give a St. Lawrence charm to a baby boy being baptized with the name of Lawrence. It is also traditional to give a young man taking the name of St. Lawrence for Confirmation to receive a St. Lawrence pendant as a gift.

St. Lawrence Prayer

St. Lawrence,
pray for us,
that the flames of Divine love
may burn away all traces of vice within us,
and that we may be practical and zealous
in the service of the poor. Amen.

Prayer to St. Lawrence by Terry Modica

Precious Lord, Saint Lawrence protected the Church's money from the Roman Empire by giving it to the poor. When the greedy prefect of Rome demanded the Church's treasures, Saint Lawrence presented to him the poor and the sick, announcing, "This is the Church's treasure!" I ask him to pray for me to learn how to use material goods only for Your glory. Guide me as I share what I've stored up so that I make good decisions about where it should go. Help me to love the needy more than I love money and give me eyes to see all Your people as precious gems in Your crown of glory. Saint Lawrence, pray for me. Amen.