The Feast of Saint Lawrence

Happy name day to Tommy!

We have a lot of fun with name days here. First, in the children's eyes anyway, it means a weeknight dessert other than fruit, which is a treat. But there is also family Mass attendance and a special blessing for the name day child from Dad--before the dessert, just to keep the priorities straight.

So today we celebrate St. Lawrence, Tommy's Confirmation patron. He was a deacon in the third century who, when asked by the greedy Roman government officials to turn over the treasures of the Church, took them to the house of the poor. This was not appreciated, and Lawrence was sentenced to martyrdom by roasting. The story goes that when he was on the grill, he told the judge, "You can turn me over, this side is done," and just before the end, "I'm cooked now."

In the Church's good humor over these things, Lawrence is the patron of cooks, as well as deacons and the poor.

Tommy has requested a flaming dessert. It seems only too appropriate, so I am scouring cookbooks this morning for a good one.

Thanks be to God for this opportunity to have Tommy at home for just one more name day!