 SAINT LAURENCE OF BRINDISI
CAPUCHIN PRIEST
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.
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