The Siege of Székesfehérvár in 1601, painted by Francesco Grandi.
*The following account which is a historical anecdote highlighting the valor of this Catholic Saint was mostly taken from New Advent (Catholic Encyclopedia)
Lawrence of Brindisi, a Capuchin, Franciscan priest famously led the army of Rudolph II during the battle for Székesfehérvár armed only with a crucifix. "Forward!" he cried, showing them the crucifix, "Victory is ours."
A Daring Attack Plan: To pit 18,000 men against 80,000 Turks was a daring undertaking and the generals, hesitating to attempt it, appealed to Lawrence for advice.
Inspirational Speech: Holding himself responsible for victory, he communicated to the entire army in a glowing speech the ardour and confidence with which he was himself animated.
Courage: To reassure the troops of God’s help he took the lead into battle. Mounted on horseback and, crucifix in hand, he took the lead of the army, which he drew irresistibly after him. "Forward!" he cried, showing them the crucifix, "Victory is ours."
Supernatural Protection: Although the most exposed to danger, Lorenzo was not wounded, which was universally regarded as due to a miraculous protection.
“Astride his horse, he moved with conspicuous speed through the thick of the battle to spur on the troops everywhere and repel the Turks’ flying rifle bullets with the sign of the cross, which either fell to the ground or changed direction and flew back to the enemy artillery. The instinctive movements of his out-of-control horse saved him numerous times from direct Turkish attacks. No rifle bullets could strike him or his horse – one bullet caught in the scant hair of his tonsure, which Lawrence smilingly removed and said: “Ah semplicetta: tu mi volevi offendere!” Which means, 'Oh simpleton: you wanted to offend me!' At the sight of these miracles and the Capuchin friar’s obvious invulnerability, Turks spontaneously converted to Christianity." Source here.
Victory: The Turks were again defeated, and the honour of this double victory was attributed by the general and the entire army to Lawrence of Brindisi whose feast day is also his birthday, July 22.
Normally a saint's feast day or memorial is celebrated on the day of their death as a way to recognize their entrance into heaven. But Lawrence died on his birthday so for him we are celebrating both his birth into this fallen world and his birth into saintly glory attained through the victory of of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As a Doctor of the Church who joined the Capuchin order when he was just 16, St. Lawrence secured many other non-military victories. He became an important voice in the counter-reformation converting many heretics. He was an expert preacher and writer on Mary and Scripture as well as the early Church Fathers. He became an important diplomat for the pope. Fluent in several languages, he was a voice for peace in many lands. Saint Lawrence of Brindisi pray for us.
