Saint of the day · July 21
St Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Optional memorialTuesday, week 16 in Ordinary Time
Liturgical colour : Green
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi (Laurentius Brindisiensis), whose optional memorial the Church observes today, was a remarkable Capuchin priest renowned for his preaching, scholarship, and leadership at the turn of the 16th to 17th century. Born Giulio Cesare Russo in Brindisi, southern Italy, he entered the Capuchin Franciscans and demonstrated extraordinary linguistic and theological abilities, mastering several languages including Hebrew and Greek—a rare accomplishment for his era. Lawrence used these gifts to engage in deep scriptural study and in fruitful dialogue and debate with both Christians and Jews, always striving for peace and unity.
His zeal for evangelization sent him throughout Europe, notably serving as a military chaplain and diplomatic envoy amid the conflicts of his time, especially the threats posed by the Ottoman Turks. As a preacher, Lawrence was famed for moving hearts with his clarity, charity, and depth—a gift recognized by both common folk and the learned. His voluminous writings, particularly on the Blessed Virgin and on the Word of God, continue to nourish Christian theology and reflect his unwavering faith and charity.
Pope John XXIII declared Lawrence a Doctor of the Church in 1959, affirming the lasting value of his teaching. The Church honors St. Lawrence of Brindisi for his dedication to the Gospel, fearless witness in difficult circumstances, and scholarly contributions, proposing him as a model of charity, learning, and apostolic zeal.
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Mass readings
"You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea!" — Mi 7, 14-15.18-20
Lord, with your crook,
be the shepherd of your people,
of the flock that belongs to you,
that lives alone in the thicket,
surrounded by orchards.
Let it find its pasture in Bashan and Gilead,
as in days of old!
Just as in the days when you came out of Egypt,
you will show it wonders!
Who is a God like you, who removes guilt,
who passes over rebellion
as you do with the remnant of your heritage:
a God who does not stay angry forever
but delights in showing favour?
Once again you will show us your mercy,
you will trample our crimes underfoot,
you will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea!
Thus you grant Jacob your faithfulness,
Abraham your favour,
as you swore to our fathers
from the days of old.
– The word of the Lord.
Ps 84 (85), 2-3, 5-6, 7-8
You have loved this land, Lord,
you brought back the exiles of Jacob;
you have taken away the sin of your people,
you have covered all their fault.
Bring us back, God, our salvation,
forget your resentment against us.
Will you always be angry with us,
will your anger last from age to age?
Is it not you who will return to revive us
and who will be the joy of your people?
Let us see your love, Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
"Stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said: 'Here are my mother and my brothers'" — Mt 12, 46-50
At that time,
as Jesus was still speaking to the crowds,
his mother and his brothers stood outside,
wanting to speak to him.
Someone said to him:
"Your mother and your brothers are there, outside,
wanting to speak to you."
Jesus replied to him:
"Who is my mother,
and who are my brothers?"
Then, stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said:
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven,
that person is my brother, my sister, my mother."
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org