Codice prodotto: L10339
Memorial Day: August 10
When did Saint Lawrence live: 225 - 258
BIOGRAPHY:
Saint Lawrence was born on December 31, 225, in Huesca, Spain. He met the future Pope Sixtus II in Caesaraugusta (now Zaragoza), and together they traveled to Rome. When Sixtus became pope in 257, he appointed the young Lawrence as archdeacon of Rome, making him responsible for the administration of church property and the distribution of alms to the needy. During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Valerian in 258, Pope Sixtus II was arrested and executed on August 6. Shortly thereafter, the Roman prefect demanded that Lawrence hand over the church's treasures. Lawrence requested three days, during which he distributed the church's wealth to the poor. On the third day, he presented the needy of Rome to the prefect, declaring them the true treasures of the church. As a result, he was arrested and on August 10, 258, was tortured to death on a burning gridiron. His tomb is located in the Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura in Rome.
PATRONAGE:
St. Lawrence is the patron saint of cooks, bakers, brewers, librarians, archivists, firefighters, and the poor. He is also the patron of cities such as Rome, Rotterdam, and Huesca, as well as Canada.
SYMBOLISM, DEPICTION:
The symbols of Saint Lawrence are the grate on which he was martyred as a sign of his martyrdom, a book as a sign of his wisdom and lilies, which emphasize his piety.
PATRON SAINT OF:
Laurentius, Lorenz, Laurin, Lars, Lenz, Lorenzio, Laurentin, Laurentine, Renzo, Enzo, Lorenzo, Lawrence.