ST. LAWRENCE, MARTYR

Among the eminent saints of the Catholic Church, there are few more remarkable than the great St. Lawrence, whose feast occurs on the tenth of August. It is regrettable that very little is known of his early years. It appears that he was a native of Spain. Be that as it may, he became a special friend of St. Xystus, the archdeacon of Rome; and when the latter became Pope Sixtus II, one of his first acts was to ordain St. Lawrence a deacon with special charge of the treasury of the Church and the care of the poor.

In that same year, the Roman Emperor Valerian commanded all the bishops, priests, and deacons to be put to death. He thought that the best way of exterminating Christianity was to do away with the shepherds of the flock.

In 258, Pope Sixtus II was apprehended. As he was led to execution, St. Lawrence followed him and said: "Where are you going, Holy Father, without your deacon? You were never wont to offer sacrifice without me, your minister. Have I displeased you, dear Father?"

Pope Sixtus was moved with compassion at the sight of his holy deacon. He tried to comfort St. Lawrence in these words: "It is not my wish to leave you, my

good friend. A greater trial and a more glorious victory is reserved for you now in the vigor of your youth. You shall follow me to martyrdom in three days."

Having said this, he ordered St. Lawrence to distribute the treasures of the Church among the poor, lest they should fall into the hands of the persecutors.

Thoroughly convinced that the prophetic words of Pope Sixtus II would come true, St. Lawrence set out at once to seek all the poor widows and orphans so as to give each of them his share of the Church's treasury.

In the meantime, the Roman prefect desired to get possession of the sacred vessels and vestments of the Church with a view of selling them. Accordingly he sent for St. Lawrence, and ordered him to produce the treasures of the Church.

The good saint said to him: "I will show you a valuable part; but allow me a little time to set everything in order, and to make an inventory."

The prefect granted him three days of grace. During this time, St. Lawrence went through the city seeking out in every street those who were supported by the Church. On the third day, he gathered together a large number of them in front of the church, and placed them in rows: the decrepit, the blind, the deaf, the dumb, the maimed, the orphans, and the widows.

When the Roman prefect came on the appointed day, he was astonished to see such a large crowd of pitiable

cases.

On second thought, the sight of them made him very angry. In this frame of mind, he turned to St. Lawrence, and asked: "What is the meaning of this crowd of beggars? Where are the treasures that you promised to show me?"

St. Lawrence answered him very humbly in these remarkable words: "These are the treasures that I promised to show you."

The prefect was hardly able to contain himself. With an angry voice, he shouted: "Do you wish to mock me? Is this the way that you insult an officer of the Roman power? I know that you desire to die. But you shall not die immediately. I will prolong your tortures so that your death may be more bitter. You shall die inch by inch.'

"I am ready for the worst," replied the saint. "Did not Jesus die on the cross for me? Yes; and I am now willing to take up my cross and follow Him."

At the command of the prefect, the great gridiron was prepared, and live coals were placed under it. St. Lawrence was divested of his clothing, bound with heavy chains, and attached to the instrument of torture, there to be subjected to slow burning. But, by a special grace of God, this holy martyr was not allowed to feel the terrible torture of the gridiron.

It is related that after being thoroughly roasted on one side, he turned to his persecutors, and with a smile

on his face said to them: "Let my body be turned over; one side is broiled enough."

Then lifting up his eyes to his heavenly Father, and offering a fervent prayer for the great city of Rome and its inhabitants, this brave soldier of Christ breathed his last sigh.

REV. ALBAN BUTLER: The Lives of the Saints.

AIDS TO STUDY

application (ǎp'li kā'shun), attention, effort.

decrepit (dě krěp'ĭt), infirm, worn out.

exterminate (ěks tûr'mi nāt), to destroy utterly, drive out.

inventory (In'ven to rf), an itemized list of goods or valuables. subsequently (sub'sé quěnt ly), later.

Xystus (Zis'tus), a priest who became Pope Sixtus II.

1. In what century did St. Lawrence live? 2. From what country did he come? 3. What did his friend, Archdeacon Xystus, when he became Pope, do for Lawrence? 4. In what particular work was our saint engaged? 5. Give the conversation which took place between himself and Pope Sixtus II as the latter was led to martyrdom. 6. What did the Roman prefect wish to get from St. Lawrence? 7. How did the saint fulfill his promise to the prefect? 8. Did the prefect enjoy the joke? 9. How was St. Lawrence put to death? 10. When does his feast-day occur?

Expressions for study:

in this frame of mind
inch by inch

slow burning

the vigor of your youth

three days of grace

to contain himself
with a view

you were never wont