August 10: Saint Lawrence, Martyr an Deacon
PATRON SAINT OF OWNERS AND WORKERS OF FOOD BUSINESSES
Graciously obtain for me from God those favours and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions in life, particularly (name it).
O glorious Saint Lawrence, Martyr and Deacon, who, being subjected to the most bitter torments, didst not lose thy faith nor thy constancy in confessing Jesus Christ, obtain in like manner for us such an active and solid faith, that we shall never be ashamed to be true followers of Jesus Christ, and fervent Christians in word and in deed.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be
V. Pray for us, O holy Lawrence,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, the grace to quench the flames of our vices, Thou who didst enable blessed Lawrence to overcome his fiery torments. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SAINT LAWRENCE MARTYR
Devotion to the Holy Martyrs has always been a distinctive mark of the Christian faithful.
From the earliest ages of the Church until the present their witness to Christ has inspired believers to honor their tombs and to trust in the power of their prayers before the throne of God.
The catacombs attest to this in ancient times, and in our own time John Paul II named the century just passed a “century of martyrs.”
Let us go to them then with confidence praying for all the Church in need throughout the world and for our own needs at home.
St. Lawrence was the protodeacon of the Roman Church, an important office of the Holy See in the days of the ancient Church. He was charged with the maintenance of the Church’s temporal goods and with the distribution of alms to the poor of the City, and with their instruction in the faith.
When the authorities tried to obtain from him the riches of the Church, he gathered together the poor and declared them to be the Church’s riches.
He was savagely roasted to death, and all the while retained his peace and good humor. His feast in the Roman rite is August 10th .
