The saint whose name we heard most while at home as kids, was that of St Lawrence. That's because both Mum and Dad hailed from Karkala, the place of the famous shrine of St Lawrence. Besides, Papa was a great devotee of him.
We grew up hearing different stories and hymns of St Lawrence. So much so, my younger brother's middle name is Lawrence.
It is said that St Lawrence when he realised that he would be the next to be taken into custody and face persecution, decided to give away the wealth of the Church to the people! As a deacon he was the treasurer of the property and rather than let it be added to the wealth of the emperor, he decided to give it all to the poor and needy of the place!
And then there is the famous line he uttered while being grilled! "This side is done, now turn me over!" Humour and charity. Those were the two great virtues of St Lawrence. Both of which were fed by a genuine love of Christ.
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