Today August 10

Today is the feast of the great Saint Laurence, martyr, died 258 AD (no birth date). His name is also spelled "Lawrence." He was one of seven deacons of the city of Rome, he died in the great persecution of the Emperor Valerian, three days after the death of Pope St. Sixtus II, whom he knew and served. Those facts are certain. The story of his last witness and death are based on a long tradition, and held by St. Ambrose, the poet Prudentius and others. He followed the pope to his execution, saying, "Father, where are you going without your deacon?" The pope answered, "I do not leave you, my son. You shall follow me in three days."

Laurence was called before the Emperor, who demanded the treasure of the Church. Laurence begged for time, and meantime he gathered a great number of the homeless, the blind, the lame, the maimed, the lepers, orphans and widows; these he brought to the Emperor, saying, "These are the treasure of the Church."

Angered at his audacity, the Emperor declared he be put to death in a particularly painful way, grilled to death on a gridiron. He was stripped and bound to the grill over the fire. After awhile under this torture, he joked with his executioners: "I am quite done on this side, you may turn me over now and eat." Perhaps catching a little of the saint's humor, the Church has declared St. Laurence to be the patron of cooks.