Born in Naples in the mid-16th century, his Baptismal name was Cesare and he came from a family of merchants. His parents, William and Elizabeth Russo, died when he was still a boy.

Cesare was raised by his uncle and then, at a very young age, attended St. Mark’s College in Venice. Afterwards, he continued his education at the University of Padua where he joined the Capuchins, taking the name Lawrence. 

At the time he was just sixteen years old. 

A brilliant student, he had a special gift for languages and could speak at least seven of them fluently. This gift allowed Lawrence to study the bible in its original texts. 

In addition to his intellectual gifts, Lawrence was known for his kindness. 

He was, as well, an outstanding administrator and in 1602 he was elected as Minister General of the Capuchins, a position he used to expand the Order into the far corners of the known world. 

Eventually, Lawrence became a Papal Emissary. On a trip to Spain to see the King he became ill, dying in Lisbon in 1619. 

Over three hundred years later, in 1956, the Capuchins published the vast writings of Lawrence into a fifteen-volume set. Eleven of the volumes were his sermons. 

Canonized in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII, Lawrence was made a Doctor of The Church by Pope St. John XXIII in 1959. 

St. Lawrence of Brindisi, please pray for us.