November 26 - St. Leonard of Port Maurice - (1676-1751)
Leonard, called "the great missionary of the 18th century" by St.
Alphonsus Liguori, was another Franciscan who tried to go to the foreign
missions (China), failed at that and succeeded tremendously in some
other work.
Leonard’s father was a ship captain whose family
lived in Port Maurice on the northwestern coast of Italy. At 13, Leonard
went to Rome to live with his uncle Agostino and study at the Roman
College. Leonard was a good student and was destined for a career in
medicine. In 1697, however, he joined the Friars Minor, a decision that
his uncle opposed bitterly.
After ordination Leonard contracted tuberculosis and was sent to his
hometown to rest or perhaps to die. He made a vow that if he recovered
he would dedicate his life to the missions and to the conversion of
sinners. He soon was able to begin his 40-year career of preaching
retreats, Lenten sermons and parish missions throughout Italy. His
missions lasted 15 to 18 days, and he often stayed an additional week to
hear confessions. He said: "I believe that in those days the real and
greatest fruit of the mission is gathered. As much good is done in these
days as during the mission."
As a means of keeping alive the
religious fervor awakened in a mission, Leonard promoted the Stations of
the Cross, a devotion which had made little progress in Italy up to
this time. He also preached regularly on the Holy Name of Jesus.
Since he realized that he needed time simply to pray alone, Leonard
regularly made use of the ritiros (houses of recollection) that he
helped establish throughout Italy.
Leonard was canonized in 1867; in 1923 he was named patron of those who preach parish missions.
November 26 - St. Leonard of Port Maurice - (1676-1751)
Leonard, called "the great missionary of the 18th century" by St. Alphonsus Liguori, was another Franciscan who tried to go to the foreign missions (China), failed at that and succeeded tremendously in some other work.
Leonard’s father was a ship captain whose family lived in Port Maurice on the northwestern coast of Italy. At 13, Leonard went to Rome to live with his uncle Agostino and study at the Roman College. Leonard was a good student and was destined for a career in medicine. In 1697, however, he joined the Friars Minor, a decision that his uncle opposed bitterly.
After ordination Leonard contracted tuberculosis and was sent to his hometown to rest or perhaps to die. He made a vow that if he recovered he would dedicate his life to the missions and to the conversion of sinners. He soon was able to begin his 40-year career of preaching retreats, Lenten sermons and parish missions throughout Italy. His missions lasted 15 to 18 days, and he often stayed an additional week to hear confessions. He said: "I believe that in those days the real and greatest fruit of the mission is gathered. As much good is done in these days as during the mission."
As a means of keeping alive the religious fervor awakened in a mission, Leonard promoted the Stations of the Cross, a devotion which had made little progress in Italy up to this time. He also preached regularly on the Holy Name of Jesus.
Since he realized that he needed time simply to pray alone, Leonard regularly made use of the ritiros (houses of recollection) that he helped establish throughout Italy.
Leonard was canonized in 1867; in 1923 he was named patron of those who preach parish missions.
Leonard, called "the great missionary of the 18th century" by St. Alphonsus Liguori, was another Franciscan who tried to go to the foreign missions (China), failed at that and succeeded tremendously in some other work.
Leonard’s father was a ship captain whose family lived in Port Maurice on the northwestern coast of Italy. At 13, Leonard went to Rome to live with his uncle Agostino and study at the Roman College. Leonard was a good student and was destined for a career in medicine. In 1697, however, he joined the Friars Minor, a decision that his uncle opposed bitterly.
After ordination Leonard contracted tuberculosis and was sent to his hometown to rest or perhaps to die. He made a vow that if he recovered he would dedicate his life to the missions and to the conversion of sinners. He soon was able to begin his 40-year career of preaching retreats, Lenten sermons and parish missions throughout Italy. His missions lasted 15 to 18 days, and he often stayed an additional week to hear confessions. He said: "I believe that in those days the real and greatest fruit of the mission is gathered. As much good is done in these days as during the mission."
As a means of keeping alive the religious fervor awakened in a mission, Leonard promoted the Stations of the Cross, a devotion which had made little progress in Italy up to this time. He also preached regularly on the Holy Name of Jesus.
Since he realized that he needed time simply to pray alone, Leonard regularly made use of the ritiros (houses of recollection) that he helped establish throughout Italy.
Leonard was canonized in 1867; in 1923 he was named patron of those who preach parish missions.
Thanks to Fr. MichaelRaj Selvam, via Facebook.
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