Lawrence, deacon and martyr - August 10th
St Lawrence (d. 258, Rome, Italy) (Relics: Rome, Italy)
First Class Relics
San Lorenzo fuori le Mura
(Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls)
Piazzale del Verano 3
Rome, Italy
*This church is east of the Aurelian Walls.
*The remains of St Lawrence, St Stephen, and St Justin lie in the confessio below the main altar. (Note: The relics are labeled as St Justin the Presbyter. Therefore, it is likely that this is not St Justin the Martyr.)
*A marble stone slab beneath the choir floor is said to be the stone on which St Lawrence was placed after his execution. Also enshrined in this lower area is the body of Blessed Pius IX (d. 1878).
Churches of Honor in Rome
San Lorenzo in Panisperna
(Saint Lawrence in Panisperna)
Via Panisperna 90
Rome, Italy
*This church is west of the Basilica of St Mary Major. It is often closed during the week. However, it is always open for the faithful during Sunday liturgies.
*This church rests over the spot of St Lawrence’s martyrdom. A chapel built under the porch marks where it occurred. Within this chapel is the oven that was used to roast St Lawrence alive.
*Within the church the second chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Bridget (d. 1373). Her body was originally buried in this chapel before being moved to Sweden. She used to beg for alms for the poor outside of this church and prayed before the crucifix by the main altar.
San Lorenzo in Lucina
(Saint Lawrence in Lucina)
Via in Lucina 16/a
Rome, Italy
*This church is north of the Pantheon.
*The grill used to burn St Lawrence is preserved under the altar in the first chapel on the right side of the nave. This chapel also contains a number of paintings that depict scenes from the life of St Lawrence.
San Lorenzo in Fonte
(Saint Lawrence at the Spring)
Via Urbana 50
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Cavour metro stop.
*Tradition holds that this was the location of St Lawrence’s imprisonment.
San Lorenzo in Miranda
(Saint Lawrence in Miranda)
Via in Miranda 10
Rome, Italy
*This church is in the Roman Forum. It is not open often.
*A tradition suggests that this was the location where St Lawrence was condemned.
San Lorenzo in Damaso
(Saint Lawrence in Damaso)
Piazza della Cancelleria 1
Rome, Italy
*This church is at the Palazzo della Cancelleria near Campo de' Fiori. It is dedicated to St Lawrence.
San Lorenzo in Palatio ad Sancta Sanctorum
(Saint Lawrence in the Palace at the Holy of Holies)
Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano
Rome, Italy
*This is a private chapel at the top of the Scala Santa. It is dedicated to St Lawrence.
Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls
Via Ostiense 186
Rome, Italy
*This basilica is south of the Aurelian Walls.
*In the right transept is a small chapel dedicated to St Lawrence.
*St Paul is buried in the confessio. Above his tomb are the chains that were used to imprison him prior to his martyrdom. These chains were placed in this prominent location in 2008.
*Also a crucifix that is said to have spoken to St Bridget in 1370 is in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
