Prayer to imitate St. Lawrence’s fiery love of God

St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr of the Church, is well-known for his fiery death, earning him the patronage of all cooks.

However, we mustn’t forget that St. Lawrence became a martyr because of his intense love of God. It was his love of God that gave him the strength to endure such a gruesome death for Christ’s sake.

Below is the collect for his feast day, asking God for that same love.

O God, giver of that ardor of love for you
by which Saint Lawrence was outstandingly faithful in service
and glorious in martyrdom,
grant that we may love what he loved
and put into practice what he taught.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

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