Born on July 22, 1559 in the city whose name he took, Saint Laurence of Brindisi entered the Friars Minor Capuchin at Venice. As a learned professor of sacred Scripture and theology he emerged as a keen controversialist against the Lutheran heresy. He spurred on the Christian troops at grips with the Ottoman army and the union of Protestant States; he was also the founder of many religious houses, a very able diplomat and a zealous minister general of the Capuchin. He devoted himself especially to the spread and defense of Catholic belief and morality; the wide extent and great volume of his work makes him one of the most learned exegetes and controversialists of the Counter-Reformation. He died at Lisbon on July 22, 1619. He was canonized by Leo XIII; John XXIII proclaimed him a doctor of the Church.