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BENEDICT VADAKKEKARA A TRIBUTE TO ST LAWRENCE OF BRINDISI DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (1959-2009) The year 2009 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the solemn declaration of St Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619) Doctor of the Church. Through his apostolic letter Celsitudo ex humilitate of 19 March 1959 Pope John XXIII solemnly bes– towed on Lawrence of Brindisi the title of Apostolic Doctor. It is in commemo– ration of this declaration that the Collectanea Franciscana dedicates these pages to presenting the English translation of the Omnia opera 1 of this Franciscan Capuchin saint. Lawrence enjoyed wide reputation as preacher, theologian, administrator and diplomat 2 • He had his academic training in the University of Padua. In 1601 he was appointed chaplain to the imperial army of Rudolph II that was then fighting in Hungary against the advancing Ottoman Turks. Armed only with a crucifix, he led the army during the capture of Szekesfehevar from these Turks. Paul V despat- 1 Lawrence ofBrindisi (Saint), Opera omnia. Collected sermons and homilies in twelve Books. Translated from the Latin by Vernon Wagner. Bk I: The Mariale. - Bk II: Lenten sermons, Vol 1. - Bk III: Lenten sermons, Vol 2/ 1. - Bk IV: Lenten sermons, Vol 2/2. - Bk V: Lenten sermons, Vol 2/3. - Bk VI: Lenten sermons, Vol 3. - Bk VII: Lenten sermons, Vol 4. - Bk VIII: Advent sermons. - Bk IX: Sunday sermons, Vol 1. - Bk X: Sunday sermons, Vol 2. - Bk XI: Feastday ser– mons. - Bk XII: Seasonal sermons. India-110091 Delhi (375-A, Pocket 2, Mayur Vihar Phase-I), Media House, 2007. 22 cm., 550,515,565,473,458,693,672,559,387,383,640,337 p. (US$ 260) ISBN 81-7495-296-9/ 81-7495-288-8/ 81-7495-289-6/ 81-7495-290-X/ 81-7495-291-8/ 81-7495-292-6/ 81-7495-293-4/ 81-7495-292-2/ 81-7495-300-0/ 81-7495-287-X/ 81-7495- 297-7/ 81-7495-295-0 2 For a well-documented life of St Lawrence of Brindisi, see Arturo M. da Carmignano di Brenta, San Lorenzo da Brindisi. Dottore della Chiesa universale (1559-1619), I-IV, Padova 1960-1963. While the first three volumes profile the life and activities of the Apostolic Doctor, the last volume carries the relevant documentation. It is significant that the biographer also takes pains to spotlight the role that Lawrence's confreres played in the execution of his various mis– sions. A case in point is the establishment of the Capuchin Order in Prague, Vienna and Graz. See vol II, 25-70.