Born
in 1128 in County Kildare, Ireland, Laurence was the son of Murtagh,
chieftain of the Murrays. When he was ten years old, Laurence was taken
hostage by King Dermot McMurrogh of Leinster in a raid and, after two
years of mistreatment by his captor, was sent to live with the Bishop of
Glendalough.
Guided by the bishop, Laurence became a monk, and
in 1161, was consecrated as the Archbishop of Dublin. His first act as
archbishop was to begin the reform of the clergy under his charge and
require the canons of his church to receive the rule of the regular
canons of Arrouaise, a rule reputed for its sanctity and austerity.
Laurence himself followed this rule, and as an act of charity, had over
thirty poor people dine with him every night. He became beloved for his
charity, and was much sought after for his fatherly wisdom and advice.
In
1175, Laurence traveled to England to negotiated a treaty between King
Henry II and Rory O’Conor, the new monarch of Ireland who succeeded to
the throne after the death of Dermot McMurrogh. Henry was impressed by
the holy man’s piety, and Laurence successfully negotiated peace.
Laurence died on November 4, 1180, and was canonized in 1225.
Photo by: Andreas F. Borchert
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