He could speak Italian, Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German, Bohemian, Spanish and French. He joined the Capuchin order at the age of 16, and graduated from the University of Padua at the age of 23.
He became definitor general of his Order in Rome in 1596, a position he was to hold five times, was assigned to conversion work with Jews in Italy--his knowledge of Hebrew was such that some Jews thought he was Jewish. Later, he was sent to Germany to counter Lutheranism. Lawrence wrote several treatises against Luther, but his main writings are the nine volumes of his sermons. He was canonized in 1881. Today is his feast day.
Comments