Saint Lawrence: Why a FEAST instead of a MEMORIAL?

Fone Bone 2001 · #1 Jul 30, '12, 7:49 pm

It seems August 10 is the feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr. Most other saints except the Apostles have their feast days classified as memorials.

Why is Saint Lawrence's different?

MarkThompson · #2 Jul 30, '12, 8:50 pm

Because he is especially well-known and has an especially strong cult. As the Catholic Encyclopedia remarks, "Since the fourth century St. Lawrence has been one of the most honoured martyrs of the Roman Church."

tuscany · #3 Jul 30, '12, 9:21 pm

Sorry, it was a funny but bad pun.....

Fone Bone 2001 · #4 Jul 31, '12, 8:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkThompson

Because he is especially well-known and has an especially strong cult. As the Catholic Encyclopedia remarks, "Since the fourth century St. Lawrence has been one of the most honoured martyrs of the Roman Church."

But that's true of a lot of other saints as well, and their days are still classified as memorials. Saint Francis of Assisi's, for instance (October 4), is a memorial. Saint Athanasius' (May 2) is a memorial. Etc.

Does anyone know the concrete history of and the specific reason for Saint Lawrence's being a feast?