Deacons of the Diocese of Lexington and their wives gathered at the Cathedral of Christ the King with Bishop John Stowe on Saturday, August 10, for the annual St. Lawrence Feast Day celebration. St. Lawrence was a Third-century archdeacon of Rome, who kept the treasures of the Church and distributed alms to the poor.
When Roman authorities demanded that he turn over the Church’s material wealth to them, Lawrence appeared as commanded, bringing Rome’s crippled, blind, sick, and poor, calling them the true treasures of the Church. He was martyred by being grilled to death over a fire. It was said that even in the midst of his suffering he had the strength to joke to his executioners to turn him over, he was done on that side. For this he is the patron saint of the poor, cooks – and comedians!
On the feast of this saint who served God and His people, the deacons and wives gather to share a meal, and hear from Bishop John Stowe, who reminded them of their call to service, both to the Church and to their marriages.
Deacon Mike Lynch, director of the diocese’s diaconate office, made announcements about upcoming study sessions and the annual deacons and wives retreat in October.