Saint Lawrence of Brindisi

Lawrence of Brindisi was born in Italy in 1559. After he was ordained a priest, he devoted his life to preaching. He was most attentive to correcting the errors by Reformation preaching. Because he spoke eight languages, he was a popular and powerful preacher in several countries.

Lawrence became known for his goodness, his simplicity, and his prudence as a teacher. He was especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin. Besides being the superior general of about 9,000 Capuchin friars in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, and Switzerland, Lawrence had a splendid reputation as a missionary and as a diplomat. In 1959, Pope John XXIII declared him a Doctor of the Church.

Suggestions

• Discuss ways that the students can help or hinder the spread of truth and love through all their daily conversation, including phone calls and e-mail.

• Have the students list the positive qualities of one of their teachers of the past. Then have them write to this teacher, explaining how much they appreciated these positive qualities.

Excerpted from Christ Our Life, by Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio

Image credit: San Lorenzo da Brindisi by unknown artist, unknown date. Public Domain via Wikimedia.