Lawrence of Ireland (1128–1180)

Biography

He entered a monastery when he was very young and his life was so exemplary that when he was ordained a priest, the monks unanimously elected him as their new superior. He was always a great appeaser. During a great food shortage, people roamed the towns stealing and looting whatever they could find. Abbot Lorenzo met them with a cross held high, and convinced them to pray with him to ask for God's help. Then he distributed all the provisions they had in his immense monastery to them. He was later elected archbishop of Ireland and fulfilled his duties perfectly. He first dedicated himself to arranging the temples so that they were as beautiful as possible. Then he made an effort to ensure that all the priests fulfilled their priestly duties well, and immediately he dedicated himself to distributing alms with great generosity. Every day he received up to 60 needy people in the episcopal house and he himself served them food. When the armies of England invaded Ireland, the archbishop did everything he could to stop the invaders' plunder and the carnage they caused. Failing to do so, he went to England to intercede with the king, who ignored him. He then decided to follow the king who was going to Normandy to continue interceding for his ravaged country, but due to exhaustion and the terrible cold, he died shortly after arriving. His sacrifice, along with that of many others, has preserved faith in Ireland.