Lawrence of Rome

Who they were

Lawrence was born in Spain in the first half of the third century. Pope Sixtus II made him archdeacon of Rome, in charge of the Church's charity: he looked after the goods and offerings that fed the poor, orphans and widows.

In 258 the emperor Valerian ordered the death of all bishops, priests and deacons. Pope Sixtus was killed on 6 August. Lawrence was spared for a few days and ordered to hand over 'the treasures of the Church'; he brought the sick, the poor and the outcast and said these were the Church's treasures. On 10 August he was martyred, according to the ancient account recorded by St Ambrose, by being burned on a gridiron.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Lawrence has been honoured as a martyr of Rome since the third century, and his feast on 10 August is kept throughout the Church.

Why that counted as sanctity

Lawrence served Christ in the poor and called them the Church's real treasure. St Leo the Great said of his death that the fire that burned him outside was weaker than the fire of Christ's love burning within.

Connected on this site

• Orientius Saint Brother or sister
• Patientia of Huesca Saint Mother, Parent
• Felicissimus and Agapitus Saint
  “The seventh deacon, Lawrence of Rome, was martyred on 10 August of the same year.” — Wikipedia
• Sixtus II Saint
  “He was killed along with seven deacons, including Lawrence of Rome, during the persecution of Christians by the Emperor Valerian.” — Wikipedia