Saint Lawrence of Rome
225-258
Feast Day: August 10
Patronage: Rome, deacons, students, the poor, firefighters, brewers, comedians, librarians, winemakers, vine growers, miners, tanners, seminarians, chefs, butchers
Saint Lawrence was a Roman deacon about whom little is known but because of his martyrdom massive conversions to Christianity were the result. One legend is told when the Roman Emperor Valerian wanted the material wealth of the church, St. Lawrence presented the true treasures, the poor, handicapped, widows, orphans, and the sick. This enraged Valerian so that he had Lawrence martyred by placing him on a gridiron and burned alive.
