Deepertruth: Saint Lawrence of Brindisi apostolic zeal and mastery of doctrine

Saint Lawrence of Brindisi apostolic zeal and mastery of doctrine 7/21,2023

At first glance, perhaps the most remarkable quality of Lawrence of Brindisi is his outstanding gift of languages. In addition to a thorough knowledge of his native Italian, he had complete reading and speaking ability in Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German, Bohemian, Spanish, and French.

Lawrence was born on July 22, 1559, and died exactly 60 years later on his birthday in 1619. His parents William and Elizabeth Russo gave him the name of Julius Caesar, Caesare in Italian. After the early death of his parents, he was educated by his uncle at the College of St. Mark in Venice.

Lawrence of Brindisi, Lawrence also spelled Laurence, Italian San Lorenzo Da Brindisi, original name Cesare de Rossi, (born July 22, 1559, Brindisi, Kingdom of Naples [Italy]—died July 22, 1619, Belem, Portugal; canonized 1881; feast day July 21), doctor of the church and one of the leading polemicists of the Counter- Reformation.