St. Lawrence of Brindisi
Feast day: July 21
Lawrence was born Caesare de Rossi in Brindisi, a kingdom of Naples. Taking the name Lawrence, he became a Franciscan at age 16. Educated at the University of Padua, he began preaching and became a superior in the order. Alongside Blessed Benedict of Urbino, he founded priories in Germany and Austria. Lawrence raised an army to combat the Turks in Hungary and is credited with winning a battle, leading the troops with only a crucifix. He served as papal emissary and wrote nine volumes of sermons. Lawrence was canonized in 1881 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1959.
Collect
O God, who for the glory of your name
and the salvation of souls
bestowed on the Priest Saint Lawrence of Brindisi
a spirit of counsel and fortitude,
grant, we pray, that in the same spirit,
we may know what must be done
and, through his intercession,
bring it to completion.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
