St Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619)

St Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619)

Lawrence was born on 22^nd July 1559 and entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order in Venice at the age of sixteen and ordained priest at 23 years of age. He was elected major superior of the Capuchin Franciscan province of Tuscany at the age of 31 and minister general of the whole order in 1602.

He had a great devotion and love of the Holy Scriptures and a great compassion and sensitivity to the needs of the people. He was an outstanding theologian and his works were published in 9 volumes between 1928-1945. He was canonised by Pope Leo XIII on 8^th of December 1881 and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope St John XXIII in 1959.

Quote from his writings “God is love and all His operations proceed from love. Once he wills to manifest that goodness by sharing His love outside Himself, then the incarnation becomes the supreme manifestation of His goodness and love and glory. So, Christ was intended before all other creatures and for His own sake. For Him all things were created and to Him all things must be subject and God loves all creatures in and because of Christ”