Lawrence of Brindisi

Who they were

Giulio Cesare was born at Brindisi on 22 July 1559. Orphaned of both parents by fourteen, he went to an uncle in Venice and joined the Capuchins, taking the name Lawrence; he made his vows at seventeen and was ordained in 1582. To understand the Protestants' reasons he studied Hebrew and Greek so deeply that some suspected he had become a Jew.

In 1599 the Pope sent him to Prague to preach and deal with rulers. In October 1601 he went with the Christian army at the siege of Székesfehérvár in Hungary; the soldiers credited him with the victory, but he gave the credit to God and Our Lady. Sent to Lisbon as envoy to King Philip III to plead for peace for Naples, he died there on 22 July 1619.

The miracles

John XXIII proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church in 1959. The miracles examined for his causes are not described in the sources we have used.

Why that counted as sanctity

Lawrence put his extraordinary learning at the service of the Gospel and of peace, preaching, reconciling and serving popes and princes, and gave all the credit for his successes to God and Mary.

Connected on this site

• John XXIII Saint
  “John XXIII proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church in 1959.” — this site's research
• Benedetto da Urbino Blessed
  “At Fossombrone in the Marche, Blessed Benedetto da Urbino, priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, who was a companion of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi in preaching among the Hussites and Lutherans.” — this site's research