Blessed Lorenzo of Ripafratta, OP (27 September): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Discover the life of Blessed Lorenzo of Ripafratta, the Dominican reformer, biblical scholar and master of novices who helped form Saint Antoninus of Florence and encouraged Fra Angelico to preach the Catholic faith through sacred art. The Western Schism and the earlier residence of the popes at Avignon brought great trials to the Catholic Church. The Order of Preachers also suffered from weakened discipline, declining fervor and epidemics that depopulated many Dominican priories. God raised up Blessed Raymond of Capua to begin a movement of reform within the order. Among those who enthusiastically continued this work was Blessed Giovanni Dominici, Archbishop of Ragusa. He recognized the extraordinary gifts and virtues of the Dominican friar Lorenzo of Ripafratta. Lorenzo entered the Dominican Order at Pisa after he had already been ordained a deacon. Following his studies and several years of preaching, he was appointed master of novices at the priory in Cortona. Blessed Lorenzo strongly defended rigorous religious observance, but he also possessed the wisdom to apply the Dominican constitutions prudently according to individual circumstances. His deep understanding of the human soul allowed him to recognize when a novice’s heart had been inflamed with divine love and to guide that soul along the path of obedience and docility. Among the novices formed under his direction were Saint Antoninus of Florence, Fra Angelico and Fra Benedetto of Mugello. Lorenzo encouraged Fra Angelico and Fra Benedetto to devote themselves to sacred painting because images could preach the truths of the faith as powerfully as spoken words. “The most eloquent tongue is silenced by death,” he told them, but their heavenly paintings would continue proclaiming religion and virtue throughout the centuries. Because of his exceptional knowledge of Sacred Scripture, Lorenzo was called the “Ark of the Testaments,” a title also associated with Saint Anthony of Padua. He preached successfully throughout Etruria and was eventually appointed vicar general of the reformed Dominican priories. While living in Pistoia, Lorenzo surrendered his administrative responsibilities to care for those suffering during an epidemic. His fearless charity moved many who had remained deaf to preaching to repentance and conversion. After Blessed Lorenzo died at an advanced age, Saint Antoninus wrote to the Dominicans of Pistoia, mourning their loss and praising the countless souls converted through Lorenzo’s preaching and example. He recalled how Lorenzo reconciled enemies, settled disputes, ended scandals and strengthened him through affectionate letters of spiritual encouragement. Many miracles were reported at Blessed Lorenzo’s tomb. In 1851, Pope Pius IX officially confirmed his ancient veneration. 00:00 Butler’s Lives of the Saints 00:08 Blessed Lorenzo of Ripafratta 00:15 The crisis of the Western Schism 00:32 Declining fervor in the Dominican Order 00:40 Epidemics depopulate the priories 00:48 Blessed Raymond of Capua begins reform 00:56 Blessed Giovanni Dominici 01:03 Lorenzo enters the Dominican Order 01:12 Master of novices at Cortona 01:21 Rigorous observance joined with prudence 01:30 Understanding and guiding souls 01:45 Forming St. Antoninus and Fra Angelico 01:53 Preaching the faith through sacred art 02:00 Paintings that speak through the centuries 02:15 Lorenzo, the “Ark of the Testaments” 02:23 Preaching throughout Etruria 02:32 Serving victims of an epidemic 02:41 Charity moves sinners to repentance 02:50 The death of Blessed Lorenzo 02:57 Saint Antoninus mourns his spiritual father 03:06 Souls converted and enemies reconciled 03:15 Scandals ended and pastoral zeal strengthened 03:32 Miracles and confirmation of his veneration https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/september/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 #Catholic #Saints #LivesOfTheSaints #BlessedLorenzo #Dominicans #FraAngelico #CatholicHistory #ChurchHistory #GreatSchism #AvignonPapacy 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴�

Topics

• Blessing & Favor