• August 10: Saint Lawrence of Rome

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Thu Aug 9 10:11:20 2018
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    August 10: Saint Lawrence of Rome
    (225-258)

    Saint Lawrence of Rome was arch-deacon, distributor of alms, and =E2=80=9CKeeper of the Treasures of the Church=E2=80=9D during a time when Christianity was outlawed. Saint Lawrence was martyred for his faith
    after refusing to give the Roman authorities the material wealth of
    the Church. Instead, when they demanded it, Saint Lawrence produced
    the crippled, blind, sick, and indigent of Rome, proclaiming them the =E2=80=9Ctrue treasures of the Church.=E2=80=9D

    Little is known about the life of Saint Lawrence, with the exception
    that he was born in Spain and later moved to Rome, earning the respect
    of the Pope and elevated to the position of Arch-Deacon. The
    inspiration of Saint Lawrence comes in the final days of his life, and
    the courageous acts of his death.

    Saint Laurence was chief of the seven Roman deacons of Pope Sixtus II.
    In 258, Emperor Valerian increased his persecutions of the Christians.
    One day when Pope Sixtus II was in the cemetery of Saint Calistus
    celebrating Mass accompanied by some members of his clergy, he was
    arrested. Along with him, the other six Roman deacons were arrested.
    As the soldiers took the Pontiff to be put to death, Laurence followed
    him in anguish crying out: =E2=80=9CWhere are you going, my father, without your son? Where are you going, Holy Pontiff, without your deacon?
    Isn't it the custom to offer the sacrifice with an assistant? Let m=
    e
    prove I am worthy of the choice you made when you entrusted me with
    the distribution of the Blood of Our Lord.=E2=80=9D

    The Pope replied to Saint Lawrence: =E2=80=9CI am not leaving you, my son.
    They are lenient on old men, not the youth. A greater combat is
    reserved for you. You will follow me in three days.=E2=80=9D With the
    Pontiff's execution, Lawrence was the highest ranking church author=
    ity
    left in Rome.

    Saint Lawrence was brought before Cornelius Secularis, prefect of Rome
    under the Emperor Valerian, who, according to Dom Prosper Gu=C3=A9ranger in
    his Liturgical Year: "aimed at ruining the Christians by prohibiting
    their assemblies, putting their chief men to death, and confiscating
    their property." Saint Lawrence asked for a short delay, so he could
    gather these riches for the prefect, and true to the promise of Pope
    Sixtus, returned three days after the pontiff's death to hand them
    over. However, heeding Pope Sixtus II's final words, Lawrence used =
    his
    three days to distribute the material wealth of the Church to the
    poor, before the Roman authorities could lay their hands on it.

    When the archdeacon returned, instead of bringing vessels of gold and
    silver, he brought the poor of the city, saying, =E2=80=9CBehold, these cho= ice
    pearls, these sparkling gems that adorn the temple, these sacred
    virgins, I mean, and these widows who refuse second marriage....
    Behold then, all our riches." In response to his boldness, Cornelius
    ordered the scourging and torture of Saint Lawrence upon the rack.

    Saint Lawrence is remembered for his recognition of the true treasures
    of the Church--the Body of Christ alive in the world. Not limited by
    the literal, Lawrence used his opportunity to witness to the world the
    mission of the Church on earth, the communion of her members, and the importance and sanctity of every life to Christ. Through his acts, we
    are reminded of those who we might forget--the sick, indigent,
    crippled, lame--those on the fringes of society--and see them for what
    they are: the beloved of Christ. What have we done lately, in our own
    acts, to welcome them into our lives, our communities, our Church?


    Father, You called Saint Lawrence to serve you by love
    and crowned his life with glorious martyrdom.
    Help us to be like him in loving you and doing
    your work. Grant this through our Lord Jesus
    Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with
    You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
    ever. Amen.

    Bible Quote:
    Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you
    may know how you ought to answer every one. Colossians 4:6 RSVCE


    <><><><>
    Hymn: Deus, tuorum militum

    O God, of those that fought Thy fight,
    Portion, and prize, and crown of light,
    Break every bond of sin and shame
    As now we praise Thy Martyr's name.

    He recked not of the world's allure,
    But sin and pomp of sin forswore:
    Knew all their gall, and passed them by,
    And reached the throne prepared on high.

    Bravely the course of pain he ran,
    And bare his torments as a man:
    For love of Thee his blood outpoured,
    And thus obtained the great reward.

    With humble voice and suppliant word
    We pray Thee therefore, holy Lord,
    While we thy Martyr's feast-day keep,
    Forgive Thy loved and erring sheep.

    All honor, laud, and glory be,
    O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee,
    All glory, as is ever meet,
    To Father and to Paraclete. Amen
    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)
  • From rich@1:396/4 to All on Sun Aug 9 10:18:55 2020
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    August 10: Saint Lawrence of Rome

    (225-258)
    Saint Lawrence of Rome was arch-deacon, distributor of alms, and =E2=80=9CKeeper of the Treasures of the Church=E2=80=9D during a time when Christianity was outlawed. Saint Lawrence was martyred for his faith
    after refusing to give the Roman authorities the material wealth of
    the Church. Instead, when they demanded it, Saint Lawrence produced
    the crippled, blind, sick, and indigent of Rome, proclaiming them the =E2=80=9Ctrue treasures of the Church.=E2=80=9D

    Little is known about the life of Saint Lawrence, with the exception
    that he was born in Spain and later moved to Rome, earning the respect
    of the Pope and elevated to the position of Arch-Deacon. The
    inspiration of Saint Lawrence comes in the final days of his life, and
    the courageous acts of his death.

    Saint Laurence was chief of the seven Roman deacons of Pope Sixtus II.
    In 258, Emperor Valerian increased his persecutions of the Christians.
    One day when Pope Sixtus II was in the cemetery of Saint Calistus
    celebrating Mass accompanied by some members of his clergy, he was
    arrested. Along with him, the other six Roman deacons were arrested.
    As the soldiers took the Pontiff to be put to death, Laurence followed
    him in anguish crying out: =E2=80=9CWhere are you going, my father, without your son? Where are you going, Holy Pontiff, without your deacon?
    Isn't it the custom to offer the sacrifice with an assistant? Let m=
    e
    prove I am worthy of the choice you made when you entrusted me with
    the distribution of the Blood of Our Lord.=E2=80=9D

    The Pope replied to Saint Lawrence: =E2=80=9CI am not leaving you, my son.
    They are lenient on old men, not the youth. A greater combat is
    reserved for you. You will follow me in three days.=E2=80=9D With the
    Pontiff's execution, Lawrence was the highest ranking church author=
    ity
    left in Rome.

    Saint Lawrence was brought before Cornelius Secularis, prefect of Rome
    under the Emperor Valerian, who, according to Dom Prosper Gu=C3=A9ranger in
    his Liturgical Year: "aimed at ruining the Christians by prohibiting
    their assemblies, putting their chief men to death, and confiscating
    their property." Saint Lawrence asked for a short delay, so he could
    gather these riches for the prefect, and true to the promise of Pope
    Sixtus, returned three days after the pontiff's death to hand them
    over. However, heeding Pope Sixtus II's final words, Lawrence used =
    his
    three days to distribute the material wealth of the Church to the
    poor, before the Roman authorities could lay their hands on it.

    When the archdeacon returned, instead of bringing vessels of gold and
    silver, he brought the poor of the city, saying, =E2=80=9CBehold, these cho= ice
    pearls, these sparkling gems that adorn the temple, these sacred
    virgins, I mean, and these widows who refuse second marriage....
    Behold then, all our riches." In response to his boldness, Cornelius
    ordered the scourging and torture of Saint Lawrence upon the rack.

    Saint Lawrence is remembered for his recognition of the true treasures
    of the Church--the Body of Christ alive in the world. Not limited by
    the literal, Lawrence used his opportunity to witness to the world the
    mission of the Church on earth, the communion of her members, and the importance and sanctity of every life to Christ. Through his acts, we
    are reminded of those who we might forget--the sick, indigent,
    crippled, lame--those on the fringes of society--and see them for what
    they are: the beloved of Christ. What have we done lately, in our own
    acts, to welcome them into our lives, our communities, our Church?
    =C2 by Jacob

    Father, You called Saint Lawrence to serve you by love
    and crowned his life with glorious martyrdom.
    Help us to be like him in loving you and doing
    your work. Grant this through our Lord Jesus
    Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with
    You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
    ever. Amen.

    Bible Quote:
    Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you
    may know how you ought to answer every one. Colossians 4:6=C2 RSVCE


    <><><><>
    Prayer For Strength
    By St EPHREM of Syria (306-373) Doctor of the Church

    Lord Jesus Christ,
    King of kings,
    You have power over life and death.
    You know even things that are uncertain and obscure,
    and our very thoughts and feelings are not hidden from You.
    Cleanse me from my secret faults,
    for I have done wrong and You saw it.
    You know how weak I am,
    both in soul and in body.
    Give me strength, O Lord,
    in my frailty and sustain me in my sufferings.
    Grant me a prudent judgment, dear Lord,
    and let me always be mindful of Your blessings.
    Let me retain until the end, Your grace
    that has protected me till now.
    Amen


    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)