A Time of Persecution
Born c. 225 A.D., Lawrence served as a humble deacon in Rome, which was dangerous mission territory at the time. Christians were accused by the pagan authorities of being enemies of the state. In 258 A.D., the emperor Valerian issued an edict to the Roman senate to arrest and execute all Christian bishops, priests, and deacons.
True Treasures
Deacon Lawrence was responsible for the Church’s material goods and distribution of alms to the poor. After Pope Sixtus II’s martyrdom, Rome’s prefect offered to spare Deacon Lawrence’s life if he turned over all the Church’s riches to the emperor. The prefect was delighted when Lawrence asked for three days to gather the Church’s treasures.
He went through the city and invited those who were marginalized to come together. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence presented him with a great number of people who were poor, blind, sick, lame, widowed, or orphaned. “These are the treasures of the Church,” he said. Filled with rage, the prefect ordered Lawrence to be roasted alive, slowly, on a gridiron. Witnesses who recorded the public martyrdom said that Lawrence cheerfully offered himself to the Lord Jesus and even joked with his executioners.
Legacy
St. Lawrence understood what was at the heart of his vocation and offered his life on behalf of others. His story is one of love and redemption. He spent his life in service to the poor and offered himself fully to Jesus Christ. It is said that his death marked the end of idolatry in Rome. He inspired numerous people to convert to Christianity, and many miracles were worked through his intercession.
St. Lawrence has been one of the most venerated martyrs of the Roman Church since the fourth century. He is the patron of Rome, deacons, chefs, firefighters, comedians, and the poor. His feast day is August 10.
