Lawrence the Deacon
By Deacon Keith A. Fournier

© Third Millennium, LLC

Undoubtedly there were many, many holy people among the martyrs of early Rome. It is remarkable, then, that the life and death of this one humble deacon—Lawrence—is still today attributed with “all of Rome becoming Christian.”

Sentenced to death in the Emperor Valerian’s sweeping condemnation of all Christian clergy, Lawrence offended the Emperor—and endeared himself to all Christians since—by assembling before Valerian the “gold and silver” of the Church.

The year was 258, and the barbarism and severity of pagan Rome had begun to reach fever pitch leading to a blood lust. The newborn Christian Church, faithful to the One who had given Himself for the life of the world, continued the work of His redemption.

It was an ominous and frightful day in ancient Rome. Four days earlier, the great Bishop of Rome, Sixtus, was arrested by soldiers of the emperor Valerian, along with his deacons, and beheaded. Valerian had issued an edict to the Roman Senate that all the Christian clergy—bishops, priests and deacons—were to be arrested and executed.

Swift Roman justice!

According to the tradition, Lawrence, a humble and holy Deacon, knowing that the fervor of Valerians' hatred was extending to all Christians who owned property, began to give it all away. He distributed the money and treasures of the Church to the city's poor—believing the clear admonition of the Savior that they were blessed and especially loved by Him.

Valerian heard the news and wanted the treasure to satisfy his unbridled lust for worldly power. So, he offered Deacon Lawrence a way out of sure death. If he would show him where the Church's great gold and silver were located, he would issue an order of clemency, sparing his life so that he could continue his work. Valerian was delighted when the deacon asked for three days to gather all the gold and silver of the Church together in one central place!

For three days, Deacon Lawrence went throughout the city and invited all the beloved poor, handicapped, and misfortunate, who were all being supported by a thriving early Christian community who understood the Gospel imperative, to come together. When Valerian arrived, Deacon Lawrence presented the "gold and silver" of the Church!

The emperor was filled with rage! Beheading was not enough for this Christian. He ordered Deacon Lawrence to be burned alive, in public, on a griddle. Witnesses recorded the public martyrdom. The deacon cheerfully offered himself to the Lord Jesus and even joked with his executioners!

The tradition records massive conversions to the Christian faith as a result of this holy life and death—poured out, like His master, in redemptive love. In fact, it is still said to this day that all of Rome became Christian as a result of the faithful life, and death, of this one humble deacon. He was buried in a cemetery on the Via Tiburtina. On that spot, Constantine would later build a Basilica.

A special devotion to Lawrence, deacon and martyr, spread throughout the entire Christian community. Early Christians had no doubt that those who had gone to be with the Lord continued to pray for those who still struggled in this earthly life. They saw in Lawrence a great example of how to live, and how to die, faithful to the Gospel.

Years later, St Augustine would reflect on the heroism of this great deacon in a sermon preached on his feast day, emphasizing that his life and death were an example for all Christians to emulate: "I tell you again and again my brethren, that in the Lord’s garden are to be found not only the roses of His martyrs. In it there are also the lilies of the virgins, the ivy of wedded couples, and the violets of widows. On no account may any class of people despair, thinking that God has not called them."

The life and death of Deacon Lawrence still speaks the timeless message of the Gospel to all who will listen. As we seek to live our lives faithfully—no matter what our vocation—let us hear the message and make it our own.
Whether we are ever called to shed our blood in what has traditionally been called "red martyrdom" or simply to offer our sacrifices daily in a continuous life of poured-out love (traditionally called "white martyrdom"), we are called to continue the redemptive work of the One to whom Lawrence offered himself fully.

In the timeless words of the early Church father Tertullian: "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."
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Deacon Keith Fournier is a Deacon of the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia where he was recently assigned to Saint Benedict Parish. Deacon Fournier was a pro-life lawyer for twenty seven years. He is currently pursuing a PHD in Theology at Catholic University and holds his Masters Degree from the John Paul II Institute and law degree from the University of Pittsburgh.