St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr (225 - 258) was one of the boldest and courageous saints during the early church. During the persecutions of Emperor Valerian in Rome, St. Lawrence was a Deacon of the church. Knowing the greed of Emperor Valerian; Lawrence told Emperor Valerian that he needed three days to gather all the silver and gold of the church and bring it to one place. For three days, Deacon Lawrence went throughout the city and invited all the beloved poor, handicapped, and misfortunate to come together. When Valerian arrived, Deacon Lawrence presented him with the true gold and silver of the Church, the poor! The emperor was filled with rage! Beheading was not enough for this Christian Deacon. He ordered Deacon Lawrence to be burned alive, in public, on a griddle.
While on the griddle St. Lawrence showed tremendous courage and even told his executioners: "Turn me over, for I am well done on this side".
St. Lawrence please pray for us to have the peace of God in our spirits and boldly face the people who torment our earthly lives.
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