Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of the Church in Rome and was martyred in the year 258. Little is known about his younger years, but he was a student of Pope Sixtus II. When the Emperor Valerian started persecuting Christians, the Pope was one of the first to be seized.  Lawrence wished to go with Sixtus II, but the Holy Father asked him to give all of the Church’s money to the poor as soon as he could. Lawerence obeyed the Pope and distributed the treasures before he was taken away for his own martyrdom. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Lawrence, who was obedient even in the midst of persecution.

Level 1 Level 1 books in the Footsteps of the Saints series are about 32 pages each and are written as read-alouds for your beginning readers at about a second grade reading level. The print size is large to make it easier to read for young readers, and there are many wonderful illustrations to give a visual for your younger children who are listening.

Brother Lawrence Emge, C.S.C.