| Saint Lorenzo Giustiniani | |
|---|---|
Saint Lorenzo Giustiniani adoring the Baby Jesus, Luca Giordano, 17th century. |
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| Bishop, Confessor | |
| Born | July 1, 1381[1] |
| Died | January 8, 1456 (aged 74) |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Canonized | 17th century, Rome by Pope Alexander VIII |
| Feast | January 8 September 5 (General Roman Calendar 1690-1969) |
Saint Lorenzo Giustiniani (July 1, 1381 – January 8, 1456) is venerated as a saint by the Roman 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 constitution, 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 united the Diocese of Castello with the Patriarchate of Grado, and the seat of the patriarchate was moved to Venice, making Giustiniani the first Patriarch of Venice, a post that he held for over four years.
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He died on January 8, 1456, and was canonized by Pope Alexander VIII (1689–1691). His works, consisting of sermons, letters and ascetic treatises, have been frequently reprinted.
Pope Innocent XII (1691–1700) inserted his feast day in the Roman Calendar for celebration on September 5, the anniversary of his elevation to the episcopate. Because of his limited importance worldwide, his liturgical celebration is no longer included among those to be commemorated universally, wherever the Roman Rite is celebrated.[2] In addition, his feast was moved to January 8, the day of his death.[3]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.