Decree of Pope St. John XXIII declaring St. Lawrence of Brindisi a Doctor of the Universal Church
To perpetual remembrance.
To the heights from humility: just as the Lord Christ chose from among the fisherman those whom He would appoint as sowers and teachers of the divine word among the nations, so did He call forth from the sacred family of the Franciscans a humble disciple, who, through the brilliance of sanctity in his actions, the power of his words, and the abundance of his teachings, would illuminate the Church. We speak of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, whom they call a beloved member. “O incomprehensible love” (AAS vol. LI, 1959, pp. 456-459) of Christ, who never allowed Himself to be absent from the times when His Church as His Bride suffered, and who found present remedies for the evils imposed upon her. In times when audacious innovators rose up, attacking the name of Catholicism with hostile assaults, as faith in the Christian people everywhere weakened and moral standards declined, Lawrence was raised up to defend what was attacked, vindicate what was lost, and promote what would contribute to the salvation of all. When the nefarious plagues and deceitful inventions of false opinions threatened humanity again, he was placed in a clearer light to confirm the faithful with the splendor of his virtues and nourish them with the precepts of his saving doctrine.
Therefore, just as Rome boasts of Lawrence, the invincible athlete of Christ, who added strength to the Church after enduring the most severe tortures in the frenzy of the enemy, it is honorable for Brindisi to have produced another Lawrence, who, amidst domestic and external troubles, strengthened it with the ardor of his religious zeal and the abundance of his intellect. Born in that Apulian city on the 22nd day of July in the year 1558, he came into the world not for himself or for the passing affairs of the world, but to cultivate Christian wisdom for God and for humanity. The heavenly gift that he would become was evident from his early childhood, for, with a mind detached from frivolities, he used to pray and, having a frequent practice of sacred prayers, he was inclined to the apostolic ministry. Though his tender age was still unaware of the allurements of pleasure, he sternly commanded his body, scarcely suitable for punishment, subjecting it to voluntary chastisements. What the boy began, the young man continued, dedicating himself to the Franciscan family among the Friars Minor Capuchin of the Venetian province; following their rules, he easily surpassed all in Christian humility, obedience, prayerful devotion, and diligence in discipline. Having barely entered the arena, he seemed to be worthy of the palm in the most noble contest of virtues.
He embraced the entirety of philosophy and theology, and whatever time remained, he spent in learning languages, especially Greek, Hebrew, and Chaldean, with rare dedication. Emerging from this school, he became a sacred orator, who, with extraordinary eloquence, would explain the thoughts of the mind, elevate willing hearts with ingeniously conceived sentiments, and break and overcome those that were hardened. Ordained a priest in 1583, he immediately took up this pious duty of preaching and, almost tirelessly, proclaimed himself as a herald of Jesus Christ until death. Therefore, no labors, no troubles, and no difficulties could hinder him as he traveled through many regions of Europe, spreading the boundaries of the Kingdom of God and calling as many people as possible to eternal salvation.
Having crossed the rugged Alps on foot, he wandered for a long time in the northern regions, to instruct the peoples in the true faith amidst the numerous and great troubles of those times. For this reason, some of the most serious historians believe that the Capuchin brethren, led and guided by Lawrence of Brindisi, by the providence of God, preserved the common people and the lowest multitude from the harmful opinions of dissenters, or, having dispelled the darkness of errors, restored them to the unity of the Church. Clad in worn-out attire, adorned with a lofty mind, the humble Franciscan entered the courts of princes to be their authority in uniting the forces of Catholics. When the Christian army was about to engage in close combat with the Turkish forces in Hungary, he lifted the cross, igniting them for battle, so that he brought back a most glorious victory from the enemies of the cross. However, Lawrence not only taught with words but also with his life: for he was a man in whom excellent virtues appeared to have been brought to the highest point, that is, where heroes of the Church usually progress.
Endowed with so much experience and full of counsel, he governed some provinces of the Order in Italy, held a mandate to lead the brethren in Austria, Bohemia, Bavaria, and Tyrol, and acted as the supreme moderator himself; while fulfilling these duties, he ensured the observance of the stricter rule of the Franciscan Order.
Although he suffered from adverse health, he went to Lisbon as the ambassador of the Neapolitans to King Philip III, to defend them from the injustice they were burdened with, standing as the avenger of justice, which upholds human fellowship and unity. In this embassy, on the 22nd day of July in the year 1619, he died in Lisbon, as if on the battlefield of his apostolic duty. While he lived, he was favored by all the Roman Pontiffs and almost all the princes of Europe; he proved by his actions the singular virtues for which he was praised, and God testified to the same virtues by performing miracles. After death, he shone more brightly as a star in the Church, with a reputation for sanctity and miracles that were said to have occurred through his intercession. Therefore, it was rightfully decreed by our predecessors, Pope Pius VI, that he be counted among the Blessed in Heaven, and by Pope Leo XIII, that he be canonized as a Saint. He was presented as an example for all the faithful to look up to.
The two main characteristics of this distinguished man were his apostolic zeal and his masterful teaching: he taught with his mouth, enlightened with his pen, and fought with both. Not considering it enough to withdraw into himself, he leaped forth, as if compelled by the impulse of his soul, to dedicate himself to prayers and letters in the shadow of the monastery and even to engage in domestic exercises. From the pulpit of the churches, speaking about Christian doctrine, morals, divine literature, and the virtues of the Saints, he stimulated Catholics to piety and moved those sunk in the mire of sins to wash away their offenses and adopt a more virtuous way of life. Indeed, with the fire of his own genius and mind, he inflamed the hearts and minds of the listeners, shaking off their sluggishness with the power of his tears.
Moreover, surrounded by the sacred precincts of the temples, speaking words to people devoid of true religion, he defended it sagaciously and fearlessly. He stood in the gatherings of Hebrews and heretics as the standard-bearer of the Roman Church and urged many to renounce and abjure the false doctrines. It is admirable how many books this man, who almost never rested from pious sermons and apostolic labors, has written in often spare hours on all kinds of sacred disciplines. This Opera Omnia, a treasure of true wisdom, recently unearthed from the archives and printed, is contained in more than fifteen volumes. Among these, we would like to mention the book titled Explanatio in Genesim, in which Lawrence, using the teachings of Jewish masters, the Church Fathers, and the learned, called scholastics, subtly explores the divine truth, judging various opinions and controversies as a most serious arbiter. There are also numerous volumes on sacred eloquence, composed of sermons he delivered on the occasions of Lent, Advent, Sundays, feasts of the Saints, and other solemnities, resembling an overflowing river. Noteworthy among them is the Mariale, which comprehends the entire doctrine about the Virgin Mother of God. In it, with the wisest statements and the delightful sweetness of his discourse, he discusses the various reasons and matters of this discipline, preempting even those which our predecessors, the late Popes Pius IX and Pius XII, later definitively defined with certain decree, namely, that the Blessed Virgin Mary was free from the stain of original sin and assumed both soul and body into heavenly glory. Finally, in three volumes, titled Lutheranismi hypotyposis, this defender of Catholic law, rich in hidden erudition, strives to refute the errors spread by the teachers of heresy and to teach the people. Those, therefore, who engage in divine disciplines, especially those who devote themselves to explaining and defending Catholic dogma, should take him as an example, to nourish their minds, to instruct and persuade themselves to safeguard the truth, and to work for the salvation of others. If they follow this author, who uproots errors, elucidates obscurities, resolves doubts, let them know that they walk on a certain path. Therefore, with deserved praises for Lawrence, who so greatly increased and adorned the Catholic cause with both sacred ministry and excellence in doctrine, supported by the testimonies of the Roman Pontiffs, our predecessors, we rejoice in endorsing the honors bestowed upon him. Pope Paul V found him entirely suited to prevent the great calamity that was threatening the Church in Germany (Cfr. Arch. Vat. Borgh., II, 67, ff. 296-311); Pope Urban VIII wrote this about him: ‘We give thanks to God, who is wonderful in His Servants; when a unarmed Priest, carrying the banner of the Cross and thundering with sacred eloquence, not only triumphed over the Imperial Majesties in the propagation of Religion amidst the swords of war raging, but also brought barbarism, contemptuous of Divinity, under the administration of Christian and Apostolic fortitude’ (Bull. O. F. Cap., II, p. 292); and no less did Pope Clement XIV and Pope Pius VI proclaim his apostolic labors (Cf. ibid., IX, p. 4).
Moreover, in the writings of Pope Leo XIII, we see:
For not only did he plainly learn the Teutonic language but also Greek, Chaldean, Syriac, and especially Hebrew, in which he excelled so much that the Hebrews who heard him swore that he was one of their nation. Indeed, God, as with the Apostles, bestowed upon Lawrence the gift of languages so that he could speak in the mouths of many, as he was destined for the salvation of many (Acta Leon. XIII, II, 1881, p. 432).
Furthermore, he says,
In a short time, he reached a point where he not only knew and interpreted the sacred meaning of the Scriptures excellently, whether to instruct the minds of the faithful and inflame their hearts to virtues, or to rebuke the unfaithfulness of the Hebrews and the arrogance of the heretics, but also retained the words in his memory and poured them forth faithfully, promptly, and everywhere, potent in work and speech, an example of virtues everywhere, an eradicator of errors and vices, a defender of religion, and an upholder of pontifical authority (Ibid., p. 435);
Everywhere powerful in work and speech, everywhere an example of virtues, an extirpator of errors and vices, a defender of religion, a champion of pontifical authority (Ibid).
And Pope Benedict XV, when the third century since the death of this outstanding priest was completed, did not hesitate to give this praise to the Capuchin Friars, in a letter addressed to them:
Among the most outstanding men, who were ever raised by God’s providence to aid the laboring Church, that illustrious ornament of your Order, Lawrence of Brindisi, certainly holds a prominent place (Acta Ap. Sed., XI, 1919, p. 268).
Summing up all these, Pope Pius XI called Brindisi a “great light of doctrine and sanctity” (Cfr. Osservatore Romano, 1 Mart. 1934). Therefore, it is not surprising that the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor fervently petitioned our recent predecessor, Pope Pius XII, of revered memory, to duly enroll Lawrence of Brindisi among the Saints and Doctors of the Church. When the Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, many from the clergy, leaders of Religious Orders and Congregations, and other most learned men from both the clergy and the laity, as well as from universities, institutes, and assemblies, supported such wishes with their own suffrages, our same predecessor, entrusted with the Sacred Council of Rites, committed the matter of such great importance to a “vote.” The Sacred Congregation, obedient to the mandate of the Supreme Pontiff, designated men ex officio suitable for a thorough examination and scrutiny. After examining and obtaining the suffrages of these individuals, and having them printed, the Cardinals, entrusted with the sacred rites, were asked whether, considering the three criteria usually enumerated after our predecessor Benedict XIV in declaring a Doctor of the Universal Church, namely, notable holiness of life, outstanding heavenly doctrine, and the declaration of the Supreme Pontiff, they deemed it appropriate to proceed to declare Saint Lawrence of Brindisi a Doctor of the Universal Church. In an Ordinary Meeting held on the 14th day of November in the year 1850 at the Vatican, the Cardinals, entrusted with the sacred rites, after a proper presentation of the matter by our Venerable Brother, Clement, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Micara, Bishop of Velletri, the Promoter of this Cause or Relator, and having heard the Prelates Officials, especially our beloved son Salvatore Natucci, at that time the General Promoter of the Faith, unanimously affirmed that it was appropriate to proceed.
Our predecessor, considering the importance of the matter, deferred expressing his mind so that he could obtain a greater abundance of divine assistance for pronouncing such a significant sentence. However, after he was taken from among the living, leaving a great longing for himself, and we ourselves, according to the hidden plan of God, were elevated to the Petrine Throne, our beloved son, Cajetan, Cardinal Priest of the Holy Roman Church Cicognani, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, reported to us on the twenty-eighth day of November in the year 1958, with all matters duly completed. We, having carefully examined all things, approved and confirmed the consultation of the same Sacred Congregation. Therefore, considering these circumstances, we, fulfilling willingly and spontaneously the votes of the Capuchin Friars Minor and other supporters, by the authority of the apostolic fullness, make, establish, and declare Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Confessor, a Doctor of the Universal Church, and command that his memory be celebrated among the Saints, not as a Pontiff but as a Confessor and Doctor of the universal Church, on the 21st day of July, namely, the eve of his birthday on the 23rd day of the same month, and be noted in the Roman Martyrology. Notwithstanding any constitutions, apostolic ordinances, and any other things to the contrary. We declare, decree, and determine that these present letters remain firm, valid, and effective at all times; that they have their full and complete effect; and that they be judged and defined correctly; and from now on, anything contrary to them shall be null and void, if anyone, knowingly or unknowingly, attempts anything in this matter by any authority whatsoever.
Given at Rome, at Saint Peter’s, under the Fisherman’s Ring, on the eighteenth day of March, on the feast of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the year 1959, the first of our Pontificate.[1]
JOHN XXIII
- Translation by Br. Gregory Armstrong, O.F.M. Cap., with occasional use of the Large Language Model ChatGPT. OpenAI, chatgpt.com, accessed July 21, 2024. The final translation is my own. ↑