St. Lawrence

Feast Day: August 10

St. Lawrence was a 3rd century martyr. He lived in Rome and as a deacon was responsible for distributing resources to the poor. He faithfully tended to those in need. He was also the treasurer. The Roman prefect, thinking that the Christians had a lot of money, demanded that Lawrence turn over the Church treasures. Lawrence replied that he would.

He returned a few days later and appeared before the Emperor. The prefect asked if he had brought the treasure with him, and Lawrence replied that he had. Then he made a signal and all of the orphans, widows, blind, lame, and poor he had been serving came forward. The prefect demanded to know what it meant. Lawrence replied “These are the treasure of the Church.”

The prefect was so angry that he ordered that Lawrence be burned alive on a hot griddle, a very painful death. After suffering for some time, Lawrence said, “I’m well done on this side. Turn me over!”

St. Lawrence ‘s feast day is August 10.

Patron Saint of …

St. Lawrence is the patron saint of librarians, comedians, students, miners, chefs, comedians, the poor, and firefighters.

Daily Mass Readings for the Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

First Reading – 2 Corinthians 9:6-10: “Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 112: “Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.”
Gospel – John 12:24-26: “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.”