September 5th - St. Laurence Giustiniani, Visionary, Bishop
Born at Venice, Italy, July 1, 1381; died in Venice on January 8, 1456;
canonized in 1670; feast day formerly January 8; September 4 was the date
of his
episcopal consecration.
Saint Laurence was born into a prominent Venetian family that had produced
im****tant scholars, statesmen, prelates, and saints. Although his father,
Bernard Giustiniani, died while he was still young, his pious mother lived
only
for her children and ensured they had an excellent education. From the
cradle
she recognized in Laurence an uncommon docility and generosity of soul
that
might point to a religious vocation, yet she desired to keep him for
herself.
When he was 19, Laurence had a vision of the Eternal Wisdom in the guise
of a
maiden encircled with light. She invited him to seek her with happiness,
rather
than satiate his baser lusts. The youth confided his vision to his uncle,
Marino
Querino, an Augustinian canon of San Giorgio on Alga Island one mile from
Venice. Don Querino recommended that he take on the austerities of a monk
at
home, that is, try on the role of a religious by putting aside honors,
riches,
and worldly pleasures, before entering religious life. His mother feared
he
would damage his health and tried to divert him by arranging a marriage.
Heeding his uncle's advice, he refused his mother's wish for him to marry
and
instead joined Querino in the monastery. As a young monk, he practiced the
most
severe austerities and went about the city with a sack over his head to
beg alms
and food for the community. In 1406, Laurence was ordained to the
priesthood and
made prior of San Giorgio. His deep prayer life that often led to raptures
and
his spirit of penance provided him with experiential knowledge of the
paths of
the interior life and a wonderful ability to direct souls. The tears that
he
shed while offering Mass strongly affected all who assisted and awakened
in them
a renewed faith.
Thereafter he was general of the congregation, which at the time of his
entry
into the position had adopted a different rule. Laurence completed this
rule by
writing its constitutions, so that he became the second founder of this
congregation of secular canons. He also preached widely during this time
and
taught theology.
In 1433, Pope Eugene IV forced Laurence to accept the see of Castello,
which
then included part of Venice in its diocesan boundaries. He would not be
persuaded by the saint to change his mind and appoint a worthier bishop.
He took
possession of his cathedral so quietly that his own friends knew nothing
about
it until after the ceremony was complete. He was impatient with the
tem****al
administration of his diocese, and delegated this work to others so that
he
might be free to personally look after his flock. In 1451, Pope Nicholas
suppressed the see of Castello and transferred the patriarchal title of
Grado to
Venice with Laurence as archbishop.
The senate of the Venetian Republic, wary that this change might lead to a
diminution of its prerogatives, began a debate over Laurence's
jurisdiction.
Laurence sought an audience with the assembled senate and declared his
desire to
resign a charge for which he was unfit, rather than to feel his burden
increased
by this additional dignity. His bearing so strongly affected the whole
senate
that the doge himself asked him not to entertain such a thought or to
raise any
obstacle to the pope's decree, and he was sup****ted by the whole assembly.
Laurence therefore accepted the new office and continually acted in such
way
that his reputation for goodness and charity increased.
He drew from his prayer life the light, vigor, and courage to direct the
diocese
as easily as if it had been a single, well-regulated monastery. As bishop
of the
Jewel of the Adriatic, Laurence did a great deal to restore Saint Mark's
and
other churches; he also enhanced the beauty of the service. He added
parishes,
tried to elevate the pastoral work, and to inspire both the secular and
the
cloistered clergy with his zeal. Not only was he known for his piety, but
also
for his ability as a peace maker, his spiritual knowledge, and his gifts
of
prophecy and miracles. He overcame opposition by meekness and patience.
Under
his direction, the whole spirit of the diocese was changed; crowds flocked
to
him for spiritual and material aid.
He was of a boundless generosity toward the poor and needy, and stinted
himself
as regards his dwelling, table, and dress to a point which the strictest
orders
could not surpass. It is interesting to note that he rarely gave monetary
aid
except in small amounts because he thought it might be ill-spent. In fact,
when
a relative asked him for a dowry for his daughter, he replied: "A little
is not
enough for you; and if I gave you much, I would be robbing the poor."
Nevertheless he was open-handed with food and clothes. He even employed
married
women to seek out those who might need relief but who were too bashful to
ask
for it.
The writings of Saint Laurence on mystical contemplation, especially The
degrees
of perfection, are sublime in their simplicity. They are practical, not
speculative, and intended to assist the clergy. He had just finished "The
Degrees of Perfection" when he was seized with a sharp fever. As he lay
dying,
someone tried to give him a featherbed, but he refused it, saying: "My
Savior
did not die on a featherbed, but upon the hard wood of the Cross." He was
troubled and restless until they laid him on straw.
The saint had no will to make, because he no longer possessed anything of
which
he could have disposed. During the two days of his illness after he
received the
last sacraments, many of the city came to receive his blessing. He
insisted that
the beggars be admitted, as well as the elite, and gave to each a short,
final
instruction.
Laurence was venerated by popes even in his lifetime. When Eugene IV met
him
once in Bologna, he greeted Laurence: "Welcome, ornament of bishops!" The
saint's nephew and biographer, Bernardo Giustiniani, relates that the
corpse
remained 67 days without burial. He emphasizes that it was on view for the
multitudes that came from afar, and that doctors examined the body and
could
give no explanation for its incorrupted state (Benedictines, Bentley,
Delaney,
Schamoni, Walsh).
In art, Saint Laurence is best recognized by his face, which is typically
Venetian: thin, long-nosed, and austere. He has dark, hollow eyes, and an
ascetic, rather Dantesque mouth. Laurence seldom wore the grandiose
insignia of
a bishop. Most often he is ****trayed in a severe Venetian gown and
close-fitting
cap. He may also be shown (1) distributing the vessels of the Church
during a
famine; (2) as an episcopal cross and banner are carried in front of him
and a
mitre carried behind him; (3) holding a book, his hand raised to bless; or
(4)
giving alms (Roeder).
This Version taken from:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/ss-index.htm
Saint Quote:
He who goes about to take the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass from the Church
plots
no less a calamity than if he tried to snatch the sun from the universe.
-St. John Fisher
Bible Quote
25 The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his
covenant
upon the head of Jacob. 26 He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave
him an
inheritance, and divided him his ****tion in twelve tribes. 27 And he
preserved
for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh.
(Ecclesiasticus 44:25-27)
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Lord Our God
Lord our God, Your power is indescribable, Your glory is incomprehensible,
Your mercy is infinite, and Your love is immeasurable. Look down with
compassion on us and on Your Holy Church.
Bestow Your bountiful goodness and mercy on us, and all who pray to You.
All
glory, honor and wor****p belong to You, now and forever unto all eternity.
-
Amen.
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