Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence (白聖女と黒牧師) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hazano Kazutake. It was serialized in Kodansha's Shōnen Magazine R online magazine from April 2017 to January 2023, when the magazine was disbanded, and was transferred to the Monthly Magazine Base website in February 2023, with its chapters collected into thirteen volumes as of February 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by Doga Kobo aired from July to September 2023.
Plot
Dwelling in the small outskirts of a peaceful town, Lawrence works as a local pastor for the townsfolk. When in need, he is responsible for guiding people to the church to visit the "Saint"—a symbol of good morals who heeds each parishioner's struggles and grants them sincere advice. Cecilia, a kind young girl, is tasked to fulfill this role; however, this tiresome job quickly exhausts her. That, paired with her hidden somnolent nature, often causes her to laze around the church. This leaves Lawrence to care for the church all by himself. While Cecilia sleeps in anticipation for her next visitor, Lawrence caters to her needs alongside performing the church's numerous responsibilities. Slowly but surely, they begin to form a comfortable and trusting friendship with one another. Lawrence accepting Cecilia's lax nature elates her while she grows accustomed to Lawrence's overly-doting nature. However, as the adoring and absent-minded saint's feelings for the dense and overly protective pastor progress past friendship, how will he respond?