Saint Lawrence of Brindisi was born as Julius Caesar Rossi in Brindiso, Italy on July 22, 1559. At an early age, he felt a call to religious life. His dad died when he was 12 years old. He was educated by the Friars Minor Conventuals in Brindisi, then in Venice. He joined the Capucin Friars in 1575 at age 16 and took the name as Brother Lorenzo. He was a brilliant student and studied theology, the Bible, French, German, Greek, Spanish, Syriac, and Hebrew. He was a priest, taught theology, served as a linguist, and military chaplain. He also founded convents in various countries.
He was the chaplain of the army of the Holy Roman Empire in 1601 and he rallied the German princes to fight the Turkish force and was asked the lead the army into battle in Hungary. The only weapon he carried was a crucifix and the Turks were completely defeated. He lead peace missions to Germany and Madrid, Spain. In 1605 he was assigned to evangelize in Germany. He died on July 22, 1619 in Lisbon, Portugal and was buried in the cemetery of the Poor Clares in Villafranca, Spain.
In 1956, the Capuchin Order compiled 15 volumes of his sermons, letters, and writings. He is also a Doctor of the Church.
"O, if we only considered this reality! Namely that God is really present to us when we speak to Him by praying; that He really listens to our prayer, even if we only pray with the heart and mind. And that not only is He present and listens to us, but that He can and desires to willingly comply, and with the greatest pleasure, to our requests."
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