Part Fifteen: The Third Franciscan Doctor of the Church, Lawrence of Brindisi

The Capuchin had a brain the size of a planet. Not only did he excel in the usual studies of his time, (1559-1619), but he knew most of the European languages as well as the Semitic languages, making him not only a Biblical scholar, but beloved of the Jews, many of whom he converted.

I remember him as the chaplain of the Imperial Army which fought in the great Battle of Stulweissenburg,? As the Catholic Encyclopedia notes:?To pit 18,000 men against 80,000?Turks?was a daring undertaking and the generals, hesitating to attempt it,?appealed?to?Lorenzo?for advice. Holding himself responsible for victory, he communicated to the entire army in a glowing speech the?ardour?and confidence with which he was himself animated. As his feebleness prevented him from marching, he mounted on horseback and,?crucifix?in hand, took the lead of the army, which he drew irresistibly after him. Three other?Capuchins?were also in the ranks of the army. Although the most exposed to danger,?Lorenzo?was not wounded, which was universally regarded as due to a?miraculous?protection. The city was finally taken, and the?Turks?lost 30,000 men. As however they still exceeded in numbers the?Christian?army, they formed their lines anew, and a few days later another battle was fought. It always the?chaplain?who was at the head of the army. "Forward!" he cried, showing them the?crucifix, "Victory is ours." The?Turks?were again defeated, and the?honour?of this double victory was attributed by the general and the entire army to?Lorenzo.

But, it is because of his great inner life of contemplation that I include him in this series on perfection and the Doctors of the Church. Again, to be declared a Doctor of the Church, besides great holiness, the saint must have produced writings which the Church can recommend. Again, I quote the Catholic Encyclopedia on line:

The?known?writings of?St. Lorenzo?of Brindisi comprise eight volumes of?sermons, two didactic treatises on?oratory, a?commentary?on?Genesis, another on?Ezechiel, and three volumes of?religious?polemics. Most of his?sermons?are written in?Italian, the other works being in?Latin. The three volumes of controversies have notes in?Greek?and?Hebrew.

I am also amazed at the energies of such great saints in producing so many works while preaching, teaching, doing missionary work, organizing and running an order and in Lawrence's case, fighting battles.

In the next post, I shall highlight some of his writings.

Source: http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-third-franciscan-doctor-of-church.html

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