Rome

Patronage: Comedians, Librarians, Students, Miners, Chefs, Poor
Feast Day: August 10th
St. Lawrence was born on December 31, 225.  In 257 he was ordained a deacon by Pope Sixtus II.  As a deacon, he was responsible for the Church’s treasury in Rome and the distribution of goods to those in need.  In 258 Emperor Valerian ordered that all bishops, priests, and deacons were to be executed. Soon after the execution of Pope Sixtus II, the prefect of Rome ordered Lawrence to give him the treasures of the church.  Lawrence asked for 3 days to collect everything. Over the course of those 3 days he sold much of what the church possessed and gave everything away to the poor. Three days later he presented the poor, suffering, and infirmed people as the real treasure of the church.  Immediately the Prefect ordered that Lawrence be put to death by slowly roasting his flesh over a fire. According to legend, while roasting on the grate Lawrence said, “Turn me over, I’m done on this side.”

Rome House Leadership