Posted on 07/22/2003 5:57:29 PM PDT by Lady In Blue
St. Lawrence of Brindisi,
Born Julius Caesar Russo, Saint Laurence entered the Venetian province of the Capuchin Friars in 1575. Ordained in 1582, having completed his ecclesiastical studies as well as becoming most proficient at Hebrew, Greek, German, Bohemian, Spanish and French. Laurence began to preach throughout Northern Italy and beyond. His success at preaching is attributed to his extensive use of Sacred Scripture. Between 1599 and 1613 Laurence established the Order in Bohemia, Austria and Germany, thereby reclaiming many souls from Protestantism. He also displayed his skill as a diplomat when in 1614 he was able to restore peace between France and Spain. In fact, it was in true Franciscan fashion, as a missionary of peace, that he finally died at Lisbon whilst on a mission to Spain on behalf of the oppressed people of Naples. Laurence was for the majority of his Capuchin life a major superior in which office he continually strove to stabilise the Order, balancing the rigour of primitive Capuchin life with the needs of the time. He is likewise remembered for his great theological work "Opera Omnia" of fifteen tomes in size and characterised yet again by the prolific use of Scripture. In the life of St Laurence of Brindisi, we see a man full of the courage and daring of Christ whose spirit carried him throughout the long and arduous years that he was engaged in a most trying apostolate. Of him it can be truly said that he possessed the special gifts that adorned the Churches' first Apostles and men were moved to the practice of virtue more by his example than by his words. Especially noticeable in Laurence's approach to life was his spirit of fortitude which enabled him to announce the Good News fearlessly and constantly, even among the very Jews of Rome. Laurence's power and effectiveness as a preacher which was witnessed to the Christian life derived from the intense interior life he managed to observe during the course of his busy life. The two great loves of his life were the Mass and the Blessed Virgin. The Eucharistic Sacrifice was the centre of his existence; he had on rare occasions been know to spend up to four hours saying Mass and in 1610 in Genoa on Christmas Day, he took a staggering 16 hours celebrating in Ecotacy, weeping with love and adoration. Also extraordinary was Laurence's love for Mary, from whom he attributed receiving his vocation, his success in the apostolate and especially his knowledge of Hebrew. He regarded Mary as the font of Mercy and the kindest of Mothers. It belonged to Pope John XXIII in our own day and age to further honour this amazing son of St Francis by proclaiming him Doctor of the Universal Church. Our Lord chooses the humble of the earth to confound the proud. In St Laurence of Brindisi he called a humble son of St Francis to further increase the light of Christ in the world by his powerful preaching and prolific writings. His feast is celebrated on 21st of July.
Blessed be God;
Beloved Father of Christ Jesus.
(Eph. 1: 3-5)
BTTT on July 21, 2004.
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This litany, with his superiors' permission, sent to our collection by its translator, Rev. Frater Roland (Dusick), O.F.M.Cap., from a German "Littanei zu Ehren des hl. Laurentius von Brindisi," in an approved booklet, Der heilige Laurentius von Brindisi, Mainz, 1919.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us!
Lord, have mercy on us! Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven,
Have mercy on us!
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us!
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us!
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us!
Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, Pray for us.
Holy Virgins of virgins, Pray for us.
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Pray for us.
Faithful son of holy Father Francis, Pray for us.
Teacher of humility, Pray for us.
Mirror of purity, Pray for us.
Champion of monastic poverty, Pray for us.
Model of absolute obedience, Pray for us.
Victim of unbloody martyrdom, Pray for us.
Marvel of fortitude, Pray for us.
Paragon of temperance, Pray for us.
Master of self-denial, Pray for us.
Model of patience, Pray for us.
Despiser of the world, Pray for us.
Ardent devotee of the host Holy Sacrament, Pray for us.
Love-glowing angel at the Altar, Pray for us.
Silent adorer of the hidden Saviour, Pray for us.
Holy Priest, Pray for us.
Childlike client of Our Lady, Pray for us.
Temple of virtues, Pray for us.
Stalwart defense against all temptations, Pray for us.
Golden vessel of heavenly comfort, Pray for us.
Celestial messenger, Pray for us.
Zealous preacher of the truth, Pray for us.
Scourge of heresy, Pray for us.
Tireless worker for the salvation of souls, Pray for us.
Zealot for conversion of the Jews, Pray for us.
Warrior for the Faith, Pray for us.
Prudent counselor, Pray for us.
Consolation of princes, Pray for us.
Joy of kings, Pray for us.
Rescuer of many lands and kingdoms, Pray for us.
Father of the poor and suffering, Pray for us.
Great wonder worker, Pray for us.
Servant of God, worthy of all honor, Pray for us.
Ornament of the Seraphic Order, Pray for us.
Blessed Father, raised to a throne of glory, Pray for us.
That we may make thy treasure of poverty our own, Pray for us.
That we may persevere in holy obedience to the commandments of God and Holy Church, Pray for us.
That, rich in poverty, adorned with chastity, and in holy obedience we may die and enjoy eternal bliss, Pray for us.
Wonder worker and holy Father, Lawrence, Pray for us.
Christ Jesus, Who didst choose Thy servant Lawrence for the Apostolic life, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Christ Jesus, Who didst adorn Thy priest Lawrence with seraphic love toward Thee and Thy Virgin Mother, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Christ Jesus, Who didst liberally endow Saint Lawrence with the gift of tears, with the gift of tongues, with ecstasies, with fortitude and wisdom, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Christ Jesus, Who didst give Thy priest Lawrence the grace of wonderful recollection and devotion during the celebration of Mass, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Christ Jesus, Who didst enrich Thy servant Lawrence with the pearl of most high poverty, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Christ Jesus, Who didst honor Thy servant Lawrence with the precious adornment of angelic chastity, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Christ Jesus, Who didst make Thy servant Lawrence mighty in word and work, Graciously hear
us, O Lord.
Christ Jesus, Who didst distinguish Thy servant Lawrence through numerous cures and miracles, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Christ Jesus, Who didst glorify Thy servant Lawrence by giving him the palm of victory over the enemies of Holy Church, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Christ Jesus, Who didst ordain Thy servant Lawrence to be an angel of peace to all Christendom,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Christ Jesus, Son of God, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Have mercy on us, O Lord!
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O Saint Lawrence:
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who didst grant to Thy Confessor, Lawrence, the spirit of counsel and fortitude that he might accomplish most arduous tasks for Thy Name and the good of souls: grant us that in the same spirit we may know our obligations, and through his intercession fulfill them. Through Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.
Prayer Source: Kyrie Eleison — Two Hundred Litanies by Benjamin Francis Musser O.F.M., The Magnificat Press, 1944
BTTT on the Feast of St. Lawrence Brindisi, July 21, 2oo6!
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July 21, 2007
 St. Lawrence of Brindisi
(1559-1619)
At first glance perhaps the most remarkable quality of Lawrence of Brindisi is his outstanding gift of languages. In addition to a thorough knowledge of his native Italian, he had complete reading and speaking ability in Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German, Bohemian, Spanish and French.
He was born on July 22, 1559, and died exactly 60 years later on his birthday in 1619. His parents William and Elizabeth Russo gave him the name of Julius Caesar, Caesare in Italian. After the early death of his parents, he was educated by his uncle at the College of St. Mark in Venice. When he was just 16 he entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order in Venice and received the name of Lawrence. He completed his studies of philosophy and theology at the University of Padua and was ordained a priest at 23. With his facility for languages he was able to study the Bible in its original texts. At the request of Pope Clement VIII, he spent much time preaching to the Jews in Italy. So excellent was his knowledge of Hebrew, the rabbis felt sure he was a Jew who had become a Christian. In 1956 the Capuchins completed a 15-volume edition of his writings. Eleven of these 15 contain his sermons, each of which relies chiefly on scriptural quotations to illustrate his teaching. Lawrence’s sensitivity to the needs of people—a character trait perhaps unexpected in such a talented scholar—began to surface. He was elected major superior of the Capuchin Franciscan province of Tuscany at the age of 31. He had the combination of brilliance, human compassion and administrative skill needed to carry out his duties. In rapid succession he was promoted by his fellow Capuchins and was elected minister general of the Capuchins in 1602. In this position he was responsible for great growth and geographical expansion of the Order. Lawrence was appointed papal emissary and peacemaker, a job which took him to a number of foreign countries. An effort to achieve peace in his native kingdom of Naples took him on a journey to Lisbon to visit the king of Spain. Serious illness in Lisbon took his life in 1619. Quote:
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Saint Lawrence of Brindisi,
Priest & Doctor of the Church
Optional Memorial
July 21st
(1559-1619). He was Italian and a Capuchin with great teaching, writing, and leadership abilities. His writings include a commentary on Genesis, several treatises against Luther, and nine volumes of sermons. He preached in many religions of Europe and died in Lisbon.
Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003
Collect:
Lord,
for the glory of your name and the salvation of souls
you gave Lawrence of Brindisi
courage and right judgement.
By prayers
Help us to know what we should do
and give us the courage to do it.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you ad the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-2,5-7
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.
Gospel Reading: Mark 4:1-10, 13-20 [or Mark 4:1-9]
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight--" John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove.
And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."
And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.
Our Patron, St. Lawrence of Brindisi (1559 –1619), was born as Julius Caesar Russon, in Brindisi, Italy, on July 22, 1559.
He entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order in Venice when he was only 16 years old. He studied philosophy and theology at the University of Padua and was ordained a priest when he was 23 years old.
By the time he died on his sixtieth birthday, he had accomplished many things. He was widely recognized for his outstanding intellect, human compassion and administrative skills. As a scholar, he was good at languages—he studied the Bible using the original texts. But his skill in languages also came in handy when the Pope asked him to travel to several foreign countries as a peacemaker. In keeping with the Franciscan tradition, he was always concerned with the ordinary people.
He was elected the Minister General of the Capuchins in 1602. With St. Lawrence as its leader, the Capuchin Order grew rapidly.
St. Lawrence died on his sixtieth birthday in Lisbon, Portugal, on one of his peacemaking trips for the Pope to the King of Spain. St. Lawrence was beatified in 1783 and was canonized in 1881. In 1959 he was declared a “Doctor of the Church” by Pope John XXIII. His feast day is July 21.
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