Lorenzo Giustiniani

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Saint Lorenzo Giustiniani (1381 - 1456), the Laurentius Justinianus (Lawrence Justinian) of the Roman calendar, is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church. He was bishop and first Patriarch of Venice.

He was a member of the well-known Giustiniani family, which includes several saints. The piety of his mother seems to have served as an inspiration for his later life. In 1400, he entered the congregation of the canons of St. George in Alga. He was admired by his fellows for his poverty, mortification, and fervency of prayer. During this time, the monastery was changed into a congregation of secular canons living in community. After his ordination in 1406, Lawrence was chosen to be the prior of this community., and shortly thereafter he became the general of that congregation. He gave them their consitution, and was so zealous in spreading it that he was looked upon as the actual founder of the order. About the same time he was made by Pope Eugene IV, bishop of Castello; and his episcopate was marked by considerable activity in church extension and reform. In, 1451, pope Nicholas V untied the Diocese of Castello with the Patriarchate of Grado, with the see of the new patriarchate based in Venice with Lawrence as the first patriarch of Venice. On the removal of the patriarchate from Grado to Venice by Nicholas V in 1451, Giustiniani was promoted to that dignity, which he held for over four years.

He died on January 8, 1456, was canonized by Pope Alexander VIII, his festival (semi-duplex) being fixed by Innocent XII for September 5th, the anniversary of his elevation to the bishopric. His works, consisting of sermons, letters and ascetic treatises, have been frequently reprinted,the best edition being that of the Benedictine P. N. A. Giustiniani, published at Venice in 2 vols., 1751. His life has been written by Bernard Giustiniani, by Scipio Maffei and also by the Bollandists.

[edit] Feast Day

In the Roman Missal before the changes of Paul VI, St. Laurence Justinian's feats was celebrated on September 5. In the Most recent addition of the Roman Missal his feast is not commemorated. September 5th is regarded as a ferial day. However, his name is inscribed on the Roman Martyrology for January 8.