SANCTI

Lawrence of Rome

d. 258

Feast: August 10

You are someone who leads with the heart: where others tally what they own, you see people, and you don't hide what you hold sacred. Lawrence is just like that: a deacon of Rome, steward of the Church's goods. When Rome demands the treasures of the Church, tradition tells us, he brings forward the poor: "This is our treasure." It costs him his life: in 258 he dies for his faith; legend tells of the gridiron and of a famous line to his executioners. Rome never forgot him: he becomes one of the city's most venerated martyrs, and in the Roman Canon of the traditional Mass his name is spoken daily to this day. And you, if someone asked to see your treasure, whom would you show?

From his life

  • Deacon of Rome
  • Steward of the Church's goods
  • The legend of the gridiron, with his famous line to his executioners, according to tradition
  • One of Rome's most venerated martyrs

The bridge to tradition

To this day he is named daily in the Roman Canon of the traditional Mass.