Day 24 − Friday, 3rd Week of Lent - San Lorenzo in Lucina

So, here we are again with our friend St Lawrence.  He has truly been a favorite of Romans in all ages, and already, he is a special friend in our little cloud of witnesses.  This church houses something very special.  St Lawrence is a bit of a tease and likes to have fun with us, so he says I must wait to tell you the surprise until later.  You know, he really was known for his sense of  humor.  I think Pope Francis probably  likes Lawrence very much.  He has always said  we should not be sour-puss Christians, but that we should be  joyful!  Lawrence is definitely a saint to help  us be joyful, even in adversity.  Anyone who can play a joke on the Emperor, and then crack another funny at his martyrdom, has to be the epitome of a joyful Christian. 

There is a message in Lawrence's care-free state of mind.  We can see that he has truly abandoned himself to Divine Providence.  Whatever the Lord wants, is what Lawrence wants.  All to the greater glory of God.  Remember how Jesus said, "You shall know the truth and the Truth shall make you free?" 

St Lawrence in Lucina

Our brother Lawrence was free in the Lord even while in chains, and now in the eternal freedom of the Lord, with all the angels and saints in glory, he sings the canticle appointed for Evening Prayer today:

High Altar and Altarpiece by Guido Reni

Guido Reni's Michael Tramples Satan (in Santa Maria della Concezione church, Rome, 1636) 

A mosaic of the same painting is at St. Michael's Altar in St. Peter's Basilica.

Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist - painting at a side altar 

Above: A ceiling detail - Chapel of the Annunciation 

The altar piece is St Lucina Offering Her Church to St Lawrence, by Sigismondo Rosa

St Lucina is thought to have been the early Roman matron who donated the property to the Church.

The two side walls have paintings by Guiseppe Creti.  One is of St Lawrence bringing the "treasure of the Church" before Emperor Valerian, and the other is the beginning of his martyrdom.  

But we are looking for the surprise.  St Lawrence says to look at the altar behind the Chi-Rho symbol.  

piece of St Lawrence's gridiron on which he was roasted to  death!

The relics of the martyrs are very interesting.  They are windows to heaven.  Relics have been collected and treasured since time of the earliest martyrs.  We know specifically from detailed first-hand accounts that relics of martyrs such as St Polycarp were treasured in the 2nd century, and there are references to relics in the first century as well.  Here is the account of the collection of relics from St Polycarp around AD 160:  "We collected up his bones, more precious than jewels and better purified than gold, and put them in an appropriate place where, the Lord willing, we shall celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom each year with joy and rejoicing, both to remember those who have run their race and to prepare those yet to walk in their steps." (from the Martyrdom of Polycarp)

 Relics focus the mind and help us to meditate on the life, the teachings, the witness of the martyr or saint.  Relics are not magic nor superstitious, they are not macabre, but they are like precious jewels. We rejoice in their presence because they remind us of the holy life of the martyr, and the Eucharistic offering of the broken mystical Body of Christ in the martyr's death.  St Ignatius of Antioch put is this way: “I am the wheat of God and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ.”(Letter to the Romans) Ignatius of Antioch died in AD107. 

How blessed we are, as we continue our pilgrimage, that Mother Church has preserved so much for our benefit.  Great architecture, beautiful art, precious relics, all of them reminding us of those among us who have reflected the holiness and glory of God in their lives.  Heavenly music, stately liturgies that guide us, and teach us, and shepherd us toward Heaven where our true citizenship lies.  Hold fast to these things, my friends, they are like a safety net that protects us.  Good-bye, our friend Lawrence, we'll see you again next week at your station at St Lawrence in Damaso.

One more little rabbit trail . . . . . 

Did you know that the Catholic Church has made St Lawrence the patron saint of cooks?

I think St Lawrence would have loved that little joke!