Dr. John Hill

Brother Lawrence, as he later is called, was born by the name of Nicolas Herman in what is now modern-day eastern France. He grew up as many in Europe, son to peasants with limited access to education or meaningful employment. Young Herman grew up during the Thirty Year’s War that devastated much of Europe. Without gainful employment, Herman enlisted in the military, not because he believed in the struggle but because it offered three square meals and a little money. 

While at a stalemate battle, Herman had what may be called his first notable engagement with God at the age of eighteen. He noticed a tree amid the battlefield and realized it would become full again with leaves and flowers. His later listeners remember that he taught that the tree became a symbol of God’s ability to transform the human heart.

Here are his words as recorded by Joseph de Beaufort:

“I saw Brother Lawrence for the first time, and he told me that God had granted him a special grace of conversion at the age of eighteen when he was still in the world. One day in winter while he was looking at a tree stripped of its leaves, and he realized that in a little while its leaves would reappear, followed by its flowers and fruit, he received a profound insight into God’s providence that has never been erased from his soul. This insight completely freed him from the world and gave him such a love for God that he could not say it had increased during the more than forty years that had passed.”

–First Conversation August 3, 1666

During the war, Herman was injured and left the army. The terrible experiences of war were seared in his mind, and he could not escape his memories. Today we may say he had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He fell back on his religious experiences to give him comfort and peace. Though it is said he never spoke of the horrible experiences, it was noted in his eulogy that the effects remained with him through the rest of his life.

He later sought refuge and spiritual fulfillment as a hermit. At twenty-six, he was ordained as a “lay brother” and entered a monastery in Paris. There he took the religious name “Lawrence of the Resurrection.” While in the monastery, he took up the chores of a dishwasher and sandal repairman.

“On August 14, 1640 Nicholas Herman received the brown Carmelite habit and took the religious name of Lawrence completing it with the title ‘of the Resurrection’ a mystery he admirable lived in the sight of the living God and his Christ. …He entered fearing ‘they would skin him alive’ for his awkwardness and faults—as he said in his own unpolished language, often seasoned with humor-but fortunately for himself and his brothers ‘he experienced only satisfaction.’”

–Third Conversation November 22, 1666

His rough, soldier exterior made him an awkward monk. It was reported that he was quite clumsy and spoke with “unpolished language.” Yet through his dedication and discipleship, he began to demonstrate great spiritual wisdom. This attracted many students who were searching for the profound peace that Brother Lawrence seem to possess.

Father de Beaufort recalls that “Lawrence was open, eliciting confidence, letting you feel you could tell him anything…Once you got past the rough exterior, you discovered unusual wisdom, a freedom beyond the reach of the ordinary lay brother.”

Records of his conversations, letters, and speeches were collected after his death and published as The Practice of the Presence of God by Joseph de Beaufort.  These collections were immensely popular among Catholics and Protestants alike and were highly regarded by other Heroes of Faith, such as John Wesley, A.W. Tozer, and others.

At the end of his life, Lawrence’s doctor helped him recover from an illness. Lawrence thanked him and said, “Doctor, your remedies have worked too well for me. You have only delayed my happiness.” Brother Lawrence died on February 12, 1621. Though he lived in obscurity, his works live on as a model of discipleship and great spiritual wisdom.

Brother Lawrence shows us a life lived in continual prayer and communion with the Lord. Whatever you do, and wherever you are, do the mundane tasks as if doing it for the Lord Jesus. Even as a simple man, Brother Lawrence shows us that a life can be great when God is in the tasks of simply mending sandals, washing dishes, or cooking your breakfast.

Here are some quotes from his works.

“We do not have to be in church to be with God. We can make of our hearts an oratory where we can withdraw from time to time to converse with him, gently, humbly, and lovingly. Everyone is capable of these familiar conversations with God, some more, some less…”  –Letter

“In the ways of God thoughts amount to little whereas love accounts for everything…I flip my little omelet in the frying pan for the love of God, and when it’s done, if I have nothing to do, I prostrate myself on the floor and adore my God who gave me the grace to do it, after which I get up happier than a king. Our sanctification depends not on changing our works, but on doing for God what we would normally do for ourselves.”  –Ways of Brother Lawrence

“When I began my work I said to God with filial trust: ‘My God, since you are with me, and since I must apply myself to these duties by your order, I beg you to give me the grace to remain with you and keep you company. Even better, my Lord, work with me, accept my efforts and take possession of all my affections.’ Thus during my work I continued to speak intimately with him, offering him my services, asking him for his graces.” –Ways of Brother Lawrence

References:

Lawrence of the Resurrection, Brother. Writings and Conversations on the Practice of the Presence of God (Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 1994), p.xviii.

“Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection,” Boston Carmel, Website of the Discalced Carmelites of Boston. Boston, Mass.: Mighty 8th Media, 2014. Viewed May 25, 2021. http://carmelitesofboston.org/spirit-of-carmel/our-saints/brother-lawrence-of-resurrection/