Yesterday was the feast of St Lawrence. Deacon and Martyr. My connection with this saint goes way back. The parish from which my parents hail, from Mangalore, is the famous shrine of St Lawrence. That's where my parents were baptised, grew up, and later got married. My brother's middle name is Lawrence. Even he and my sister-in-law were married at St Lawrence's. Papa is a great devotee of St Lawrence - and perhaps, that's the greatest connection I can think of.
And of course, there is that unforgettable incident of the cricket ball 'beheading' St Lawrence! My brother and I were so shaken by this accident! We managed, with Mum's help to stick back the head and place him back on the family altar. That evening when Papa returned home and, as usual, went up to the altar to pray, he did not notice anything unusual. The three of us however, breathed only after he finished his prayer! We never told him of that incident!
Only of late did I come to know that St Lawrence is the patron saint of comedians and cooks. The latter I understand, given that he died being grilled - literally! The former attribution took time for me to connect. Comedians?? Well, only after a while it hit me, that even that is associated with his martyrdom, being roasted on fire! It is said, that while being grilled, he said to his executioners, "This side is done. Now turn me over!" Am not sure, how humorously did his tormentors take that, but for one to be so 'cool' when on fire and at the point of certain death, one indeed has to have lots of courage. However, am not sure if he was that humorous during his life as well. Would have been, I guess. Only, haven't found any evidence for it yet!
And of course, there is that unforgettable incident of the cricket ball 'beheading' St Lawrence! My brother and I were so shaken by this accident! We managed, with Mum's help to stick back the head and place him back on the family altar. That evening when Papa returned home and, as usual, went up to the altar to pray, he did not notice anything unusual. The three of us however, breathed only after he finished his prayer! We never told him of that incident!
Only of late did I come to know that St Lawrence is the patron saint of comedians and cooks. The latter I understand, given that he died being grilled - literally! The former attribution took time for me to connect. Comedians?? Well, only after a while it hit me, that even that is associated with his martyrdom, being roasted on fire! It is said, that while being grilled, he said to his executioners, "This side is done. Now turn me over!" Am not sure, how humorously did his tormentors take that, but for one to be so 'cool' when on fire and at the point of certain death, one indeed has to have lots of courage. However, am not sure if he was that humorous during his life as well. Would have been, I guess. Only, haven't found any evidence for it yet!
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