St. Laurence Justinian, 1st Patriarch of Venice (5 September): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Discover the remarkable life of St. Lawrence Justinian, the first Patriarch of Venice, whose feast is celebrated on September 5. Born into Venetian nobility in 1380, Lawrence turned away from wealth, comfort, and worldly honors to pursue holiness through prayer, fasting, humility, and penance. After a vision of Eternal Wisdom called him to seek true peace in God alone, he entered the austere Canons Regular of St. George in Alga. St. Lawrence embraced poverty and humiliation with extraordinary joy. He later became a priest, religious superior, Bishop of Venice, and finally its first patriarch. Although entrusted with great authority, he maintained a simple household, slept on straw, cared deeply for the poor, reformed his diocese, and taught that virtue—not outward splendor—must adorn a bishop. His life offers powerful lessons about conquering pride, accepting the Cross, trusting in God, receiving the Eucharist frequently, and sanctifying ourselves before attempting to guide others. This account is taken from “The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints” by Fr. Alban Butler. St. Lawrence Justinian, pray for us! 00:00 Introduction 00:16 Birth and noble Venetian family 01:05 His childhood desire for sanctity 01:46 The vision of Eternal Wisdom 02:37 Discerning the religious life 03:22 Testing his strength through austerity 03:54 Finding strength in the Cross 04:33 Entering St. George in Alga 05:24 Heroic patience during illness 06:19 Prayer, obedience, and humility 06:49 “Let us go boldly in quest of scorn” 07:51 Begging at his childhood home 08:14 Joyfully embracing poverty 08:48 Mastering the desire to defend himself 09:43 Renouncing worldly attachments 10:00 Converting a noble friend 11:18 Priesthood and spiritual wisdom 11:53 Superior and reformer of his order 12:55 His teaching on true humility 14:15 Humility in times of public calamity 14:49 Daily Mass and union with Christ 15:36 Appointed Bishop of Venice 16:24 His charity and episcopal leadership 17:20 “The poor compose the bishop’s family” 18:04 Conquering opposition through meekness 18:46 Reforming the Diocese of Venice 19:27 Venice preserved through his prayers 19:44 Miracles, prophecies, and mortification 20:10 His final work and illness 20:43 “Behold the Bridegroom” 21:30 The city receives his final blessing 22:02 His holy death and incorrupt body 22:33 Beatification, canonization, and feast 22:51 Final lesson: sanctify yourself first 23:22 Parents and rulers as shepherds #Catholic #CatholicSaints #SaintLawrenceJustinian #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicHistory #PatriarchOfVenice #SeptemberSaints #CatholicFaith https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/september/st-laurence-justinian/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ 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/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴