Lawrence was one of seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy. The troublemakers who did not like Christians, decided to kill Pope St. Sixtus II. As they took the Pope away for execution, Lawrence followed him. The Pope told him, “I am not leaving you, my son, in three days you will follow me.” Full of joy, Lawrence gave to the poor the rest of the money he had with him. He even sold expensive church vessels so he would have more money to give away. The prefect of Rome, a greedy man, thought the Church had a great fortune hidden away. He ordered Lawrence to bring the Church’s treasure to him. The saint said he would, in three days. Then he went through the city and gathered together all the poor and sick people supported by the Church. He showed them to the prefect and said these people were the Church’s true treasure. The prefect was furious. In his anger he asked them to kill Lawrence slowly so he would suffer more. The saint was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted him. God gave him so much strength and joy that Lawrence cheerfully told his executioners to turn him over because he was well done on that side. Before he died, he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus and the Catholic faith would spread all over the world.
Lawrence died on August 10, 258. His feast spread throughout Italy and northern Africa. He is the patron saint of school children, poor people, cooks and comedians to name but a few.
Prayer to St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
O Generous patron of the Church’s poor, St. Lawrence, pray to the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit that all the poor of the Church in need in every corner of the world may feel the effect of the love of their brothers and sisters who seek to help them.
Deliver the Church from the greed and envy of the powerful and protect her rights and property so that she may serve the needy in freedom, giving them good things for soul and body.
May we come some day with all those whom we helped on earth to the bright mansions of heaven where we will enjoy the riches of God’s house and the company of the Saviour who lives and reigns forever and ever.
Amen.
St. Lawrence Novena
Glorious St Lawrence, model of Christian fortitude, I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne of God. To you I have recourse in the problems that daily surround me. Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and my neighbor. Inspire me to imitate your Christian virtues. May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His Kingdom. Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions in life, particularly…
(Mention your request here…)
Help me, dear St Lawrence, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.
Amen.
St. Lawrence, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
PATRON SAINT OF OWNERS AND WORKERS OF FOOD BUSINESSES
Graciously obtain for me from God those favours and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions in life, particularly(name it).
O glorious Saint Lawrence, Martyr and Deacon, who, being subjected to the most bitter torments, didst not lose thy faith nor thy constancy in confessing Jesus Christ, obtain in like manner for us such an active and solid faith, that we shall never be ashamed to be true followers of Jesus Christ, and fervent Christians in word and in deed.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be
V. Pray for us, O holy Lawrence,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, the grace to quench the flames of our vices, Thou who didst enable blessed Lawrence to overcome his fiery torments. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Novena Prayers to St. Lawrence
Prayer – I:
Glorious Martyr, St. Lawrence, we come to you in humility as we see your greatness and your power of intercession with God. You were so strong in your faith that you readily suffered tortures from the pagans and died a cruel death becoming an outstanding witness to Christ and His Church. As we discern your strong faith we believe in your powerful patronage and pray you to obtain for us a living faith, an unwavering hope and love of God and of our neighbour. Keep us pure and chaste; make us obedient to our elders. Help us to help the poor, the down trodden, the sick and those in trials and difficulties. Touch the tepid Christians and enkindle in them the fire of faith, and give the non-Christians the grace of faith in Christ. As the pagans were moved to your faith in Christ so may your immortal faith make the unbelievers embrace the true faith that the Kingdom of God may flourish. Assist us always to overcome our trials and temptations. Grant that we may always live a true Christian life and finally be victorious in the battle of faith that being true witnesses to Christ we may die in Him to join you and other saints and live for all eternity in His Kingdom to praise God forever and ever. Amen
Prayer – II:
O St. Lawrence, who in the flower of youth suffered and died for the faith, hear our prayers. With confidence we fly to your patronage. Obtain for us deep faith, strong hope, a sincere love of God and neighbour, unsullied chastity and humble obedience. Inspire us to succour the poor, the needy, the sick and the afflicted. Lead the erring back to the Father’s Home. May God’s Kingdom spread far and wide on earth. Help us in all our needs especially…………. Finally grant that we live as the worthy people of God, die a holy death and join you in the heavenly bliss forever. Amen.
Prayer-III:
O holy St Lawrence, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need to you, I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked.
(Say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Mary and 3 Glories)
St Lawrence pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen
