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 Lawrence
was one of the greatest ornaments of the Capuchin Order, and deserved well of
both Church and State at the beginning of the 17th century. He was born at
Brindisi in the kingdom of Naples in 1559.
From his tenderest years he evinced rare gifts of
nature and grace. In remembrance of Jesus in the Temple at 12 years of age, a
custom prevails in Italy at Christmas time permitting boys to preach in
public. Lawrence was only six years old when he preached in the cathedral of
his native town with such force and point that his audience was deeply
affected and many entered upon a more Christian life.
Lawrence entered the Capuchin friary at Verona when
he was only 16 years of age. He distinguished himself from the very beginning
as a model of perfection. He was punctual at all the community exercises,
perfect in his submission to superiors, and full of respect and charity
towards his brethren.
When his novitiate was over, he continued to pursue
his studies. He was very successful in the study of philosophy and theology,
and acquired so thorough a command of foreign languages that he was able to
preach in French, Spanish, German, Greek, and even in Hebrew. He ascribed his
success not so much to his talents as to the special help he received from
Mary, the Seat of Wisdom, whom he honored with tender devotion.
With such accomplishments Father Lawrence started
out on a highly fruitful missionary life. At first he visited the various
cities in Italy; Venice, Pavia, Verona, Padua, Naples, where his labors were
blessed with remarkable success. He was then called to Rome, where he was
entrusted with the conversion of the Jews. His thorough knowledge of the
Hebrew language won for him the esteem of the rabbis, and his gentle manner
led many an Israelite to baptism.
In 1598 Father Lawrence was sent to Germany with
eleven other friars to establish Capuchin convents there and to counteract the
heresy of Luther, which was at that time gaining a foothold in
Austria.
Emperor Rudolph II entrusted to our saint the task
of organizing a crusade against the Turks, who were threatening to invade the
whole Christian Occident. Father Lawrence, who loved seclusion, was now
obliged to visit the principal cities of Germany to negotiate the cause with
the princes, and preach it to the people. Due to his wisdom and holiness,
which almighty God permitted him to manifest in astonishing ways, his efforts
proved successful.
While he was saying holy Mass in Munich in the
chapel of the duke of Bavaria, our Lord appeared after the elevation in the
form of a resplendent Child, who lovingly caressed the saint. Frequently he
was so affected during the celebration of holy Mass that he shed copious
tears. Altar linens thus moistened with his tears were later used on the sick,
and they were cured as were the faithful by the kerchiefs of St.
Paul.
Father Lawrence was made the chief chaplain of the
powerful army of Archduke Matthias, which went to Hungary in 1601 to war
against the Turks. Although quite crippled with rheumatism, he mounted his
horse and, crucifix in hand, rode at the head of the troops to the
battlefield. The first sight of the enemy was most discouraging, for their
position was so favorable and their number so superior that the most
stout-hearted officers despaired of victory. But in the name of the God of
battles Father Lawrence promised victory to the Christians and inspired them
all with fiery courage. The enemy was completely routed.
Lawrence now returned to Italy where he hoped he
might again serve God in his beloved solitude. But the general chapter of the
order elected him vicar general. He was obliged in obedience to accept this
heavy burden. In this high office he proved a charitable and vigilant pastor
to his brethren. When his term expired, the pope again sent him to Germany,
this time on an errand of peace, to reconcile the Archduke Matthias with his
brother, the emperor. Again he was successful.
After he returned to Italy, the kingdom of Naples,
his native land, was in need of his services. This kingdom which at that time
belonged to Phillip III of Spain, was governed by a viceroy who cruelly
oppressed the people. The only hope lay in presenting the people's grievances
to the king through Father Lawrence. The latter sympathized with the people
and journeyed to Spain, only to learn that the king was then in Portugal. So
on he went to Lisbon, where he pleaded the people's cause and obtained the
dismissal of the viceroy.
But this errand of charity cost Lawrence his life.
He fell very ill at Lisbon. He knew that his end was drawing near and told his
companions so. After devoutly receiving the last sacraments, he fell into
ecstasy, during which he went to the sweet embrace of his Lord on the feast of
St. Magdalen, July 22, 1619. Pope Pius VI beatified him in 1783, and on
December 8, 1881, Pope Leo XIII canonized him. In December 1958 Pope John
XXIII signed a decree declaring St. Lawrence to be a Doctor of the
Church.
ON THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. Consider
that St. Lawrence was not swayed by natural inclinations, but steadily
followed the guidance of the Holy Spirit. By nature he inclined toward a life
of seclusion, but amid the circumstances of the time, the Holy Spirit and the
injunctions of his superiors called him to engage in active life. The blessing
that rested on all his undertakings was proof that the Spirit of God was
guiding him. -- Do you permit yourself to be led by the Spirit of God, or do
you follow your own inclinations? If you earnestly desire to be guided by the
Spirit of God, ask it of Him in prayer. "Your Father from heaven will give the
good Spirit to them who ask Him" (Luke 11:13).
2. Consider that we need the
Holy Spirit in everything we undertake. He must counsel us both as to what
ought to be done and how we should go about it and how we should plan it in
order to achieve our goal. The fact the Lawrence was filled with the Spirit of
Counsel enabled him to act so promptly and decisively. We are often so
irresolute and fickle and permit every new momentary impression to unsettle us
because we so rarely ask the Spirit of Counsel to assist us. All men need the
Holy Spirit, and for that reason the Wise Man prayed: "Who shall know Thy
thought except Thou give wisdom and send Thy Holy Spirit from above to teach
the things that please Thee?" (Wisdom 9:17). -- On important occasions say the
Veni Creator devoutly.
3. Consider how the Holy Spirit of God guided St.
Lawrence in carrying out his undertakings. The Spirit of Strength enabled him
to disregard bodily suffering and overcome all hardships. How readily we turn
aside from our good purposes because of a few difficulties! "The spirit,
indeed, is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt 26:41). We experience this
only too often. And yet, "the Spirit helps also our infirmity" (Rom 8:26). If
we are strengthened by Him, we shall also be able to accomplish what the
saints accomplished. If weakness and indolence beset you, so that you would
like to give up your good resolutions, call upon the Holy Spirit to give you
His grace and strengthen your infirmity, to make such sacrifices as St.
Lawrence made.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
O God, who didst give to
St. Lawrence, Thy confessor, the Spirit of Counsel and Strength to enable him
to engage in the most difficult undertakings for the honor of Thy name and the
salvation of souls, grant, that by the same Spirit, we may perceive what we
should do and through his intercession accomplish what we have perceived.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
from:
The Franciscan Book
of Saints, ed. by
Marion Habig, ofm., © 1959 Franciscan Herald
Press
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