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10 August 2005
Sainthood in the Hot Seat
Saint Laurence, Deacon and Martyr: 10 August AD 258
St. Laurence (also Lawrence, Lorenz, Lorenzo, et al.), a Christian martyr of Spanish birth, died in Rome, becoming one of the most venerated saints in Christendom. He was ordained a deacon by the Bishop of Rome, Sixtus II, only to meet his death shortly after the Sixtus' own martyrdom.
Tradition has it that Sixtus, when arrested, instructed Laurence to give away to the poor the church's treasures, consisting of precious vessels and money, for which Laurence, as deacon, was responsible. Not much later, the Roman prefect demanded that Laurence surrender the church's treasures. Laurence gathered a number of the poor and sick around himself and said, "Here are the treasures of the Church."
Whether for hiding the wealth, for replying so insultingly, or for both, Laurence was condemned to be roasted to death on a gridiron, a torture he underwent with equanimity. An early account has him speaking from above the coals, "See, I am done enough on one side, now turn me over and cook the other."
The above painting was by Valentin de Buologne. According to the Web Gallery of Art, he "was a French Caravaggesque painter who came so close to the master that he was perfectly in place among his Italian contemporaries, French characteristics being confined to certain details."
Lord Jesus, bless the Laurences of this generation; keep them faithful unto death. Amen. ¶ 00:30 |
St. Laurence (also Lawrence, Lorenz, Lorenzo, et al.), a Christian martyr of Spanish birth, died in Rome, becoming one of the most venerated saints in Christendom. He was ordained a deacon by the Bishop of Rome, Sixtus II, only to meet his death shortly after the Sixtus' own martyrdom.
Tradition has it that Sixtus, when arrested, instructed Laurence to give away to the poor the church's treasures, consisting of precious vessels and money, for which Laurence, as deacon, was responsible. Not much later, the Roman prefect demanded that Laurence surrender the church's treasures. Laurence gathered a number of the poor and sick around himself and said, "Here are the treasures of the Church."
Whether for hiding the wealth, for replying so insultingly, or for both, Laurence was condemned to be roasted to death on a gridiron, a torture he underwent with equanimity. An early account has him speaking from above the coals, "See, I am done enough on one side, now turn me over and cook the other."
The above painting was by Valentin de Buologne. According to the Web Gallery of Art, he "was a French Caravaggesque painter who came so close to the master that he was perfectly in place among his Italian contemporaries, French characteristics being confined to certain details."
Lord Jesus, bless the Laurences of this generation; keep them faithful unto death. Amen. ¶ 00:30 |
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