St. Lawrence (or Laurence) of Rome, Deacon and Martyr   

My favorite deacon’s first name is Laurence. Heh. That is probably why he received nearly 100 St. Lawrence holy cards for his ordination.

St. Lawrence  was a deacon of the Church of Rome. He was roasted alive on a gridiron. St. Ambrose wrote that St. Lawrence, while being burned, said “this side is done, turn and eat”.

Mmm. My deacon does like to cook on the grill.

You can read more about him here.

In today’s Office of Reading, St. Augustine writes:

The Roman Church commends this day to us as the blessed Laurence’s day of triumph, on which he trod down the world as it roared and raged against him; spurned it as it coaxed and wheedled him; and in each case, conquered the devil as he persecuted him. For in that Church, you see, as you have regularly been told, he performed the office of deacon; it was there that he administered the sacred chalice of Christ’s blood; there that he shed his own blood for the name of Christ. The blessed apostle John clearly explained the mystery of the Lord’s supper when he said Just as Christ laid down his life for us, so we too ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. St Laurence understood this, my brethren, and he did it; and he undoubtedly prepared things similar to what he received at that table. He loved Christ in his life, he imitated him in his death.Read more here..

Here is an interesting video: