Day IX.  Thursday, Week I

"My Lord, our King, you alone are God. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you" (First Reading for today - Esther C-14).

San Lorenzo in Panisperna. Saint Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of Rome and was martyred in 258, four days after Sixtus II (257-258) during the Valerian persecution (253-260). The emperor knew that the Christians were noted for their generosity and so he assumed the Church was rich. He ordered Saint Lawrence to appear before him with the treasures of the Church. Saint Lawrence did so. He returned with the poor and sick saying "Here is the Church's treasure." He was put to death at the site of today's Station Church by being roasted alive on a grill. Tradition says that at one point, he asked his executioners to turn him over so he could be burnt evenly (see photo and notice the tabernacle!). Also inside this church is one of the crucifixes which was said to have spoken to St Bridget (see photo).

The Station Masses on Thursdays took place in the traditional diaconate churches in Rome - dedicated to feeding the poor.
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