- Lawrence of Brindisi
Infobox Saint
name=Saint Lawrence of Brindisi
birth_date=July 22, 1559
death_date=July 22, 1619
feast_day=July 21
venerated_in=
imagesize=
caption=
birth_place=Brindsi
death_place=Lisbon
titles=
beatified_date=1783
beatified_place=
beatified_by=
canonized_date=1881
canonized_place=
canonized_by=Leo XIII
attributes=leadingarmy , withJesus
patronage=Brindisi
major_shrine=Villafranca del Bierzo
suppressed_date=
issues=
prayer=
prayer_attrib=Saint Lawrence of Brindisi (
July 22 ,1559 ,Brindisi ,Puglia –July 22 ,1619 ), born "Giulio Cesare Russo", was aRoman Catholic priest and a member of theOrder of Friars Minor Capuchin .He was
beatified in 1783 by PopePius VI ,canonized in 1881 by PopeLeo XIII , and declared aDoctor of the Church byPope John XXIII in 1959. Hisfeast day isJuly 21 .Julio was born in Brindisi,
Kingdom of Naples , to a family of Venetian merchants. He was educated atSaint Mark's College in Venice, and joined the Capuchins inVerona as Brother Lorenzo. He received further instruction from theUniversity of Padua . An accomplished linguist, Lawrence spoke most European andSemitic languages fluently.He was appointed
definitor-general forRome for the Capuchins in 1596;Pope Clement VIII assigned him the task of converting theJew s in the city. Beginning in 1599, Lawrence established Capuchin monasteries in modernGermany andAustria , furthering theCounter-Reformation and bringing manyProtestants back to the Catholic faith.In 1601, he served as the imperial chaplain for the army of
Rudolph II, Holy Roman Emperor , and successfully recruitedPhilippe Emmanuel, Duke of Mercoeur to help fight against theOttoman Turks . He then led the army during the capture ofSzékesfehérvár from theOttoman Empire , armed only with acrucifix .In 1602 he was elected
vicar-general of the Capuchins, at that time the highest office in the order. He was elected again in 1605, but refused the office. He entered the service of theHoly See , becomingnuncio toBavaria . After serving as nuncio toSpain , he retired to amonastery in 1618. He was recalled as a special envoy to the King of Spain regarding the actions of theViceroy of Naples in 1619, and after finishing his mission, died on his birthday inLisbon .References
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09359a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia article] (retrieved Aug 23, 2005)
* [http://www.capuchinfriars.org.au/saints/laurence.shtml Capuchin Franciscan Friars of Australia biography] (retrieved Aug 23, 2005)
* [http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintl15.htm Patron Saints Index biography] (retrieved Aug 23, 2005)
* [http://www.franciscan-archive.org/laurentius/opera/lau01005.html A Homily by Lawrence of Brindisi]
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