St Lawrence Medal - Patron saint of the poor, students, fire fighters

St Lawrence Medal - Patron saint of the poor, students, fire fighters

2.5cm long x 1.,5cm wide

Feastday:

August 10


Patron:

of Rome, students, miners, tanners, chefs, poor, firefighters

Birth: December 31, 225

Death: August 10, 258

Canonized: Pre-Congregation

The year was 258 A.D. It was a difficult beginning for what would
become the First Christian Millennium. Hostility against the early
followers of Jesus Christ was growing. The barbarism and severity of
pagan Rome had begun to reach a fever pitch. It would soon lead to a
blood lust. The newborn Christian Church, faithful to the One who had
given Himself for the life of the world, continued the work of His
redemption.

Roman authorities charged Christians of that era with "odium humani
generis" [hatred of the human race]. The Romans claimed to be citizens
of a great empire, yet they practiced primitive forms of abortion as
well as "exposure", the killing of unwanted newborns.

First and Second century Rome was a challenging mission field for
these early Christians. Rome proclaimed itself the shining example to
the world of its age while it violated the Natural Moral Law and
embraced debauchery. Sound familiar?

The day that Deacon Lawrence experienced his birth from death to life
was an ominous and frightful day in ancient Rome. Four days earlier,
the great Bishop of Rome, Sixtus, was arrested by soldiers of the
emperor Valerian, along with his beloved deacons, and beheaded.

Valerian had issued an edict to the Roman Senate that all the
Christian clergy-bishops, priests and deacons-were to be arrested and
executed. There were so many holy people among the martyrs of early
Rome. That makes it even more remarkable that the life and death of this
one humble Deacon-Lawrence-is attributed with all of Rome becoming
Christian.

Sentenced to death in the Emperor Valerian's sweeping condemnation of
all Christian clergy, Lawrence offended the Emperor  - and endeared
himself to all Christians since then - by assembling before Valerian the
real gold and silver of the Church, the poor.

The life and death of Deacon Lawrence speaks the timeless message of
the Gospel to all who will listen.  Whether we are ever called to shed
our blood in what has traditionally been called red martyrdom or simply
called to offer our sacrifices daily in a continuous life of poured-out
love, traditionally called white martyrdom, we continue the redemptive
work of the Lord through our daily Christian lives and participation in
the life of the Church.

Years later, St Augustine reflected on the heroism of this great
deacon in a sermon preached on his feast day, emphasizing that his life
and death were an example for all Christians to emulate: "I tell you
again and again my brethren, that in the Lord's garden are to be found
not only the roses of His martyrs. In it there are also the lilies of
the virgins, the ivy of wedded couples, and the violets of widows. On no
account may any class of people despair, thinking that God has not
called them."

A special devotion to Lawrence, deacon and martyr, spread throughout
the entire Christian community. Early Christians had no doubt that those
who had gone

The tradition records massive conversions to the Christian faith as a
result of the holy life and death of one Deacon who understood the true
heart of his vocation. He was poured out, like his Master, Jesus Christ
the Servant, in redemptive love, on behalf of others. It is still said
to this day that all of Rome became Christian as a result of the
faithful life, and the death, of this one humble deacon. He was buried
in a cemetery on the Via Tiburtina. On that spot, Constantine would
later build a Basilica.

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. Witnesses
recorded the public martyrdom. The deacon cheerfully offered himself to
the Lord Jesus and even joked with his executioners!

For three days, Deacon Lawrence went throughout the city and invited
all the beloved poor, handicapped, and misfortunate to come together.
They were being supported by a thriving early Christian community who
understood the Gospel imperative to recognize Jesus in the poor.

Valerian was delighted when the deacon asked for three days to gather
all the gold and silver of the Church together in one central place!
His pride and greed filled blinded him from seeing the truth.

According to the Christian tradition, Deacon Lawrence, knowing that
the fervor of Valerians' hatred was extending to all Christians who
owned property, began to give it all away. He distributed the money and
treasures of the Church to the city's poor-believing the clear
admonition of the Savior that they were blessed and especially loved by
Him.

Valerian heard the news and wanted the treasure to satisfy his
unbridled lust for worldly power. So, he offered Deacon Lawrence a way
out of sure death. If he would show him where the Church's great gold
and silver were located, he would issue an order of clemency, sparing
his life so that he could continue his work.