Saint Lawrence

Saint Lawrence was a Saint who made a significant impact on the early Church through his martyrdom. Emperor Valerian's decree in 258 sentenced all Christians to death and seized their assets. Pope Sixtus II and four of his seven deacons were among the condemned. Lawrence was saddened that he wasn't taken with them. The Pope comforted him, saying, "Don't cry, my son. In three days, you'll follow me." True to his words, Lawrence was summoned by the Prefect of Rome, who believed that the Christians had a vast amount of wealth and demanded that it be surrendered for the emperor's use. As the person in charge of Church finances and property matters, Lawrence was called upon to fulfill the Prefect's demand.

Saint Lawrence agreed without hesitation. He obtained a three-day reprieve and spent it by giving away all the money he had. Three days later, he brought a large group of underprivileged people, including the blind, lame, maimed, lepers, widows, orphans, and many others, to the Prefect. He boldly declared his intentions: "These are the treasures of the Church!" Furious at having been so tricked, he was ordered to be roasted to death over a slow fire. Lying naked on the gridiron over burning coals, his sense of humor instantly came to his rescue, and he said to the judge and the executioners: Assum est; versa, et manduca!-i.e.. "it is well done; turn it over and eat it!" Lawrence died praying for the city of Rome, winning, in keeping with his name, great "laurels" for the Church.

St. Lawrence, pray for us to have concern for strangers, the sick, and all those in need and see Christ in all the men and women we meet. 

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Most High Servant,

Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 

(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)