Today, July 21, is the memorial of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi.
Doctor of the Church.
Lawrence was known for using his intelligence and influence in propagating the kingdom of God.
He was named Cesare when he was born in 1559 in Naples, Italy, but changed his name to Lawrence when he joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. At 31, he became superior of the Capuchins in Tuscany and later definitor general to Rome.
He had a near perfect recall of Scripture, and a mighty linguist who could speak and read Latin, Greek, Hebrew, German, Bohemian, French, and Spanish. Lawrence’s preaching was noticed by many, and he was entrusted with more responsibilities.
Soon he was given tasks by both the pope and the emperor that took him through Italy and Germany, where he founded new monasteries and developed the Church.
His writings filled 15 volumes– 11 of which relied chiefly on scriptural quotations to illustrate his teaching.
He rallied the German princes to fight a superior Turkish force, and was asked to lead the army into battle carrying no weapon but a crucifix; the Turks were completely defeated. This episode became part of his iconography.
At age 60, he died of exhaustion in 1619. Pope Pius VI beatified Lawrence in 1783. Pope Leo XIII canonized him in 1881.
He was declared Doctor of the Church by Pope St. John XXIII in 1959.