an icon of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. Today (2/12/26) marks the 335th anniversary of his death.
I sought [ā¦] nothing but how to become wholly God's. This made me resolve to give the all for the All: so after having given myself wholly to God, to make all the satisfaction I could for my sins I renounced, for love of Him, everything that was not He; and I began to live as if there was none but He and I in the world. Sometimes I considered myself before Him as a poor criminal at the feet of his judge; at other times I beheld Him in my heart as my Father, as my God; I worshiped Him the oftenest I could, keeping my mind in His holy Presence and recalling it as often as I found it wandered from Him.
I found no small pain in this exercise, and yet I continued it, notwithstanding all the difficulties that occurred, without troubling or disquieting myself when my mind had wandered involuntarily. I made this my business, as much as the day long as at the appointed times of prayer: for at all times, every hour, every minute, even at the height of my business, I drove away from my mind everything that was capable of interrupting my thought of God.
Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, O.C.D. (First Letter)
All-powerful God, help us who celebrate the memory of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection to imitate his way of life. May the example of Your saints be our challenge to live holier lives. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
adapted from the Liturgy of the Roman Rite, prayer in honor of a holy man.
