St Lawrence Day 10th August
Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of the cathedral church in Rome, serving Pope Sixtus II. He was executed in 258 during the persecution under the Roman emperor Valerian. It is said that Lawrence was ordered to gather up the church’s treasures and hand them over to the prefect. He asked for three days to collect them, during which time he gave them to the poor and the sick. He then presented himself to the prefect and when ordered to deliver the treasures of the Church he presented the poor, the disabled and the suffering, and declared that these were the true treasures of the Church. This resulted in a death sentence. Although Lawrence was probably beheaded, St. Ambrose of Milan and the Latin poet Prudentius, among others, recorded that he was roasted to death on a gridiron, remarking to his torturers at one point, “I am cooked on that side; turn me over” From this St. Lawrence derives his patronage of cooks, chefs, and comedians, amongst many others.
top picture: Lawrence before Valerianus, detail from a fresco by Bl. Fra Angelico, c. 1447–50
bottom picture: Stained glass window from St Lawrence Church Bradwell, South aisle
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:10-12