St Lawrence O’Toole, also known as Lorcán Ua Tuathail.
He was the Archbishop of Dublin, Ireland in the 12th century.
He was born in 1128 AD in Kilkea, County Kildare, Ireland, and died on November 14 1180 in Eu, Normandy, France.
We celebrate his feast day on November 14 every year in the Catholic Church.
| St Lawrence O’Toole Biography | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Date of Birth | 1128 AD |
| Place of Birth | Kilkea, County Kildare, Ireland |
| Profession | Archbishop of Dublin |
| Place of Work | Dublin, Ireland |
| Date of Death | November 14 1180 |
| Place of Death | Eu, Normandy, France |
| Feast Day | November 14 |
| Canonization | By Pope Honorius III on December 11 1225 |
| Patron Saint of | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin |
St Lawrence O’Toole Life History
St Lawrence O’Toole was the son of the chief of Hy Murray. He was taken as a hostage by Dermod Mac Murehad, King of Leinster in 1138 when he was ten years old. Dermot later married Lawrence’s sister Mor.
At age twelve, in 1140, he was released to the Bishop of Glendalough, Ireland who raised and educated him at the monastic school there.
In 1153, he became Monk at Glendalough, and then abbot. He was appointed as the bishop of Glendalough in 1160 but declined citing his unworthiness.
In 1161, he was compelled to become the archbishopric of Dublin, Ireland, which he accepted and became the first native-born Irishman to hold the see.
St Lawrence O’Toole reformed much of the administration and clerical life in his diocese. and worked to restore and rebuild Christ Church Cathedral.
As the archbishop, he accepted the imposition onto Ireland of the English form of liturgy in 1172.
St Lawrence O’Toole was noted for his personal austerity and piety. He wore a hair shirt under his ecclesiastical robes, never ate meat, made an annual 40-day retreat in Saint Kevin’s cave, fasted every Friday, and never drank wine – though he would color his water to make it look like wine and not bring attention to himself at the table.
St Lawrence O’Toole acted as peacemaker and mediator at the second siege of Dublin by the Normans in 1170 AD.
In 1171, he travelled to Canterbury, England on diocesan business. While preparing for Mass there, he was attacked by a lunatic who wanted to make Lawrence another Saint Thomas Beckett.
Everyone in the church thought Lawrence had been killed by the severe blow to the head. Instead, he regained consciousness, asked for water, blessed it, and washed the wound; the bleeding stopped, and the archbishop celebrated Mass.
St Lawrence O’Toole Negotiated the 1175 Treaty of Windsor which ended combat between Irish king Rory O’Connor and vassal of king Henry II of England.
He attended the General Lateran Council in Rome, Italy in 1179 and also became Papal legate to Ireland.
Death
St Lawrence O’Toole died while travelling with King Henry II, a trip taken as a peacemaker and on behalf of Rory O’Conner. He fell ill and when he was requested to make his will, he said, “God knows, I have not a penny under the sun to leave anyone.”
His last thoughts of his people in Dublin were, “Alas, you poor, foolish people, what will you do now? Who will take care of you in your trouble? Who will help you?”
He died at Eu, Normandy on 14 November 1180, and was buried there.
St Lawrence O’Toole Quote
“Alas, you poor, foolish people, what will you do now? Who will take care of you in your trouble? Who will help you?”
Other Saints Whose Feast Days are in November
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