Lawrence O'Toole (Lorcán Ua Tuathail) was born in Ireland around 1128, became abbot of the monastery of Glendalough as a young man, and in 1162 was named the first Irish-born Archbishop of Dublin. During the Norman invasion of Ireland he served tirelessly as a peacemaker, mediating between the Irish and King Henry II of England, and he was known for his austere life and generosity to the poor. He died on November 14, 1180, at Eu in Normandy while on a mission of peace, and was canonized in 1225.
Lawrence spent himself as a bridge-builder, stepping again and again into conflicts that were not of his making because his people needed a shepherd who would not run. Even amid honors and power, he kept a monk's simple heart, fasting quietly and caring personally for Dublin's homeless children. He shows us that true strength is gentle, and that peacemaking is a form of love that costs something.
Saint Lawrence O'Toole, faithful shepherd and man of peace, pray for us, that we may carry Christ's gentleness into every conflict and never grow tired of doing good. Amen.