St Paul the hermit

St Paul the hermit was the first well-known Christian hermit, he found himself in danger of persecution of Decius. Paul's friend found him a house to hide in, but his brother-in-law had planned to betray him for his inheritance. For this reason Paul fled into the dessert where he hid in the caves. He dressed only in a garment made of palm leaves. He grew to love the solitary life, he lived by a stream which provided him with water. He prayed and his love of God helped him survive. Until he was 43 all he had to eat was the fruit of the palm tree. Then so St. Jerome tells us, a Raven began to bring him half a loaf of bread a day. St. Antony at the age of 90 decided to visit St Paul, that day a Raven brought a full loaf of bread. Paul died at the age of 113, St Antony found him stretched out in prayer. For sometime Antony prayed beside him before he realised that Paul was dead. For the rest or his life Antony cherished Paul's palm leave clothing and wore it himself on important church feasts.

Saint Lawrence

St Lawrence was a Spaniard who came to Rome to serve Pope Sixtus ll. Lawrence was a deacon; his duty was to assist the Pope when celebrating Holy Mass and to give Holy Communion to the people. He was also in charge of the church's property, distributing among the poor, the offerings given by Christians.

The Pope was put to death during the persecution of Emperor Valerian. Lawrence was heart-broken when his Pope was taken and he followed the captors to the place of execution. Lawrence asked the Pope if he could be martyred along with him, but the Pope refused, saying, "Do not cry my son, in three days you will follow me." Lawrence overjoyed at this went off to prepare himself by giving away all of his possessions to the poor.

The prefect of Rome summoned Lawrence and asked him to turn over to the authorities all the church's wealth. Lawrence agreed, but said he would need three days to gather it together. In three days he brought together thousands of lepers, blind and sick persons, the poor, widows and orphans. He brought them all before the prefect saying, "These are the treasures of the church!"

In his rage the prefect ordered Lawrence to be killed slowly, he was placed on a gridiron and roasted over a slow fire. Later Lawrence said, "You may turn my body over, it is roasted enough on this side!" Lawrence died praying for the conversion of Rome, the year was 258, he had followed his Pope, just as it was predicted.