Lawrence of Brindisi

Biographical Details:

  • Lived 1559 – 1619 A.D.

Biography:

Lawrence of Brindisi, born Giulio Cesare Russo in 1559 in Brindisi, Italy, was a Catholic priest of the Capuchin Order, a branch of the Franciscans known for their strict adherence to poverty and simplicity. Known for his remarkable intelligence and mastery of languages, Lawrence became fluent in Latin, Hebrew, Greek, and several European languages, which he used effectively in his roles as a preacher, diplomat, and military chaplain. Lawrence joined the Capuchins at sixteen, taking the name Lawrence, and was ordained a priest in 1582. His linguistic skills and theological insights soon drew attention, leading him to become a prominent preacher throughout Italy and beyond.

Lawrence was called upon for various missions by both the Catholic Church and European leaders. During the Catholic Reformation, he traveled extensively across Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria, where he worked to strengthen Catholic communities and combat Protestant influence through his preaching. One of Lawrence’s significant contributions was his leadership in the Christian coalition against the Ottoman Turks. In 1601, the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II sought his help in inspiring Christian troops during the Battle of Stuhlweissenburg in Hungary. Serving as a military chaplain, Lawrence famously led soldiers into battle armed only with a crucifix, his unwavering faith strengthening the morale of the troops. The Christian forces achieved victory, which Lawrence credited to divine intervention.

His diplomatic work included negotiations between Catholic and Protestant states, aiming for peace and religious unity. In 1602, he was elected Minister General of the Capuchins, the highest office in the order, overseeing its expansion and reforms. Lawrence also wrote extensively on theology, particularly about the Virgin Mary and the Incarnation. His works are marked by depth and scholarly rigor, reflecting his thorough understanding of the scriptures and the Church Fathers.

Lawrence spent his later years in Spain, where he served as an advisor to King Philip III. He continued his diplomatic work until his death on July 22, 1619, in Lisbon, Portugal. In 1956, he was canonized by Pope Pius XII, who recognized him as a Doctor of the Church in 1959 for his contributions to theology and the faith. Lawrence’s life exemplified dedication, intellect, and courage, and his legacy endures as an inspiring figure of the Catholic Reformation and Counter-Reformation periods.

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Extant Writings:

  • Mariale
  • Lutheranismi hypotyposis
  • Explanatio in Genesim
  • Quadragesimale primum
  • Quadragesimale secundum
  • Quadragesimale tertium
  • Quadragesimale quartum
  • Adventus
  • Dominicalia
  • Sanctorale
  • Sermones de tempore

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Quotes and Excerpts:

“The power of the Eucharist is not bound by the limits of human understanding, for it is Christ himself, present with us in truth and spirit, in an ineffable mystery.” –De Corpore et Sanguine Domini, Sermon 1.

“Baptism is the door of faith and the grace of adoption, whereby we are born again as sons of God and heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven.” –Sermones Quadragesimales, Sermon 4.

“The Blessed Virgin Mary was, from her very conception, preserved from the stain of original sin by a unique privilege of grace, that she might be a fitting mother of God.” –Mariale, Part 2, Sermon 6.

“Christ left the sacrament of penance to the Church as a second plank of salvation after the shipwreck of sin, that through contrition, confession, and satisfaction, we may return to grace.” –Sermones Quadragesimales, Sermon 16.

“In the Eucharist, Jesus does not merely visit the soul; he gives himself wholly to her, that she may be transformed in him and become a temple of the living God.” –De Corpore et Sanguine Domini, Sermon 3.

“Mary is not only the mother of Jesus but, by God’s grace, the mother of all the faithful, mediating grace and assistance to those who call upon her.” –Mariale, Part 1, Sermon 10.

“The sacrament of confirmation gives strength to the soul, sealing it with the Spirit, that one may bear witness to Christ in the world with courage and faith.” –Sermones Quadragesimales, Sermon 22.

“True reform within the Church begins not with opposition to doctrine but with charity and unity, as Christ prayed for the unity of all his followers.” –Exhortatio ad Unitatem, Paragraph 12.

“The Holy Eucharist is the greatest proof of God’s love, for in it the Creator becomes the food of the creature to strengthen the soul unto eternal life.” –De Corpore et Sanguine Domini, Sermon 2.

“To understand Mary’s role in salvation history, one must see her as the new Eve, the one who by her obedience reversed the disobedience of the first woman.” –Mariale, Part 3, Sermon 5.

“The foundation of the Church’s unity is the true faith received from Christ and His Apostles, safeguarded by the holy successors and upheld by the Spirit’s guidance.” –Lutheranismi Hypotyposis, Book 1, Chapter 5.

“The doctrine of justification, when understood rightly, is inseparable from the sacraments, as they are the visible instruments of God’s sanctifying grace given to mankind.” –Lutheranismi Hypotyposis, Book 2, Chapter 3.

“Christ did not leave his Church in darkness but established Peter as the rock, giving the Church authority and teaching, binding on the faithful, through the centuries.”-Lutheranismi Hypotyposis, Book 3, Chapter 2.

“Faith without love is dead; it must be enlivened by the grace of the sacraments, which bestow not only forgiveness but also the strength to walk in holiness.” –Lutheranismi Hypotyposis, Book 1, Chapter 7.

“We do not condemn faith but confirm it, for true faith acknowledges the mysteries of the Eucharist, baptism, and the priesthood as essential to Christian life.”-Lutheranismi Hypotyposis, Book 2, Chapter 8.

“Mary, as the Mother of God, holds a unique role in the salvation of mankind, honored by all generations, as she bore the Redeemer, who is our peace and reconciliation.” –Lutheranismi Hypotyposis, Book 4, Chapter 1.

“The sacraments, instituted by Christ, are the channels of his grace; to reject them is to reject Christ’s own means of sanctifying his people.” –Lutheranismi Hypotyposis, Book 2, Chapter 5.

“The Church, established by Christ and confirmed by the blood of martyrs, does not change with the passing of time but remains the pillar of truth, visible and apostolic.” –Lutheranismi Hypotyposis, Book 3, Chapter 4.

“Faith alone, if not united with the grace of the sacraments and the works of love, becomes sterile, for it does not produce the fruits of salvation.”-Lutheranismi Hypotyposis, Book 1, Chapter 6.

“Christ gave the Church authority to forgive sins, a divine prerogative exercised in the sacrament of penance, which Lutherans erroneously reject to their own detriment.” –Lutheranismi Hypotyposis, Book 2, Chapter 10.

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