Saint
Lawrence of Brindisi (also known as Julius Caesar Rossi; Laurence of
Brindisi; Lorenzo da Brindisi) was born in 1559 A.D. at Brindisi,
Italy as Julius Caesar Rossi. He was a son of Guglielmo de Rossi and
Elisabetta Masella. He felt an early call to the religious life, and
was educated by the Friars Minor Conventuals of Brindisi. Lawrence's
father died when the boy was twelve.
Saint
Lawrence joined the Capuchin Friars in 1575 at the age of 16, taking
the name Brother Lorenzo. His studies at the University of Padua
included theology, the Bible, Bohemian, French, German, Greek,
Spanish, Syriac, and Hebrew. He was a brilliant student known for his
facility with languages. Lawrence was a priest, and he taught
theology. He served as linguist and military chaplain. He became a
famous, effective and forceful preacher in any of his several
languages. Lawrence became head of his order and founded convents at
Vienna, Prague, and Graz.
Lawrence
was chaplain of the army of the Holy Roman Empire in 1601. He rallied
the German princes to fight a superior Turkish force, and was asked
to lead the army into battle at Stuhlweissenburg (modern Albe-Royal)
carrying no weapon but a crucifix. The Turks were completely
defeated.
Saint
Lawrence was the master general of his order from 1602 to 1605 and he
was the choice for another term, but turned it down. He was assigned
in 1605 to evangelize in Germany, where he had great success. He also
convinced King Philip III of Spain to join the German Catholic
League. Lawrence was the commissary general of his order for the
provinces of Tyrol and Bavaria, and he was spiritual director of the
Bavarian army.
Saint
Lawrence of Brindisi died of natural causes on July 22, 1619 at
Lisbon, Portugal. He is buried in the cemetery of the Poor Clares at
Villafranca. In 1956, the Capuchin Order compiled fifteen volumes of
his sermons, letters and writings. Pope John XXIII proclaimed
Lawrence an Apostolic Doctor of the Church in 1959.
