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Saint Lawrence
Saint Lawrence

Saint Lawrence

Feast Day
Aug 10, 2013
Patronage
Comedians, Librarians, Students, Miners, Tanners, Chefs, Roasters
<p>St. Lawrence of Rome was one of the seven deacons of ancient Rome, serving under Pope St. Sixtus II, who were martyred during the persecution of Valerian in 258.&nbsp; According to lore, among the treasures of the Greek church entrusted to Lawrence for safe-keeping was the Holy Chalice, the cup that Jesus and the Apostles drank from at the last supper.&nbsp;</p> <p>According to Christian history, the Holy Grail is a relic that was sent by St. Lawrence to his parents in northern Aragon.&nbsp; While the Holy Chalice&rsquo;s exact journey through the centuries is disputed, it is generally accepted by Catholics that the Chalice was sent by his family to the monastery of San Juan de la Pe&ntilde;a, for preservation and veneration.&nbsp; Historical records indicate that this chalice has been venerated and preserved by a number of monks and monasteries through the ages.&nbsp; Today the Holy Grail is venerated in a special chapel in the Catholic Cathedral of Valencia, Spain.&nbsp;</p> <p>After the death of Sixtus, the prefect of Rome demanded that Lawrence turn over the riches of the Church.&nbsp; St. Lawrence asked for three days to gather the wealth.&nbsp; Meanwhile, he worked quickly to distribute as much Church property to the poor as possible, to prevent it being seized by the prefect.&nbsp; On that third day, he turned himself in, and presented the prefect with the poor, the crippled, the blind and suffering, saying that these were the true treasures of the Church.&nbsp; This act of defiance led directly to his immediate martyrdom.&nbsp; He was burned or grilled to death, hence his association with the gridiron in artwork depicting him.&nbsp;</p> <h1><span style="font-size: medium;">Practical Take Away</span></h1> <p>St. Lawrence is among the deacons that were martyred shortly after St. Sixtus II.&nbsp; St. Lawrence however, was not martyred until three days after St. Sixtus II &ndash; something the Pope had prophesied.&nbsp; It is believed that he protected the sacred Chalice that Jesus and the Apostles used during the Last Supper, and that was why he was allowed the three days &ndash; so he could get it in safe-keeping.&nbsp; Either way, his life shows us that our first and foremost thoughts and energy should be spent on preserving the faith and passing it to the next generation.&nbsp; We too, should do all in our power to preserve the faith in those things we do, and to pass it on to future generations.&nbsp; By calling on St. Lawrence, we can gain heavenly help to assist us in our mission, be sure to call upon him.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>