St. Leonard of Port Maurice

Saint Leonard of Port Maurice

Confessor

Paul Jerome Casanova was born in the Republic of Genoa in the year of Our Lord 1676. He studied medicine under the Jesuits in Rome, until he joined the Franciscans of the Strict Observance, taking the name Leonard. For this he was disowned by his uncle, who had wanted the young man to become a doctor. He hoped to become a missionary after his ordination, but severe illness caused him to be sent home to Port Maurice. Once he recovered, Fr. Leonard began preaching missions in his own city, then further afield throughout Italy, eventually preaching only outdoors due to the huge crowds he attracted. He earned the esteem of multiple popes, and St. Alphonsus Liguori regarded Fr. Leonard as the greatest preacher of his time. Among other devotions, Fr. Leonard was a great promoter of the Stations of the Cross, and set up stations throughout Italy, including in the Roman Colosseum itself. He also urged a dogmatic declaration on the Immaculate Conception. After a difficult mission to Corsica in the year of Our Lord 1751, Fr. Leonard returned to Rome and died there, his aging body having been further weakened by exhaustion and severe mortifications. He is sometimes celebrated on November 27th.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for November 26th

AT Fabriano, in the Marches, blessed Silvester, abbot, founder of the Congregation of the Silvestrine monks.

At Alexandria, the birthday [into heaven] of St. Peter, bishop of that city, adorned with all virtues, who was beheaded by the command of Galerius Maximian.

There suffered also at Alexandria, in the same persecution, the holy martyrs Faustus, priest, Didius and Ammonius; likewise, Phileas, Hesychius, Pachomius and Theodore, Egyptian bishops, with six hundred and sixty others, whom the sword of persecution sent to heaven.

At Nicomedia, in the time of Constantius, St. Marcellus, a priest, who died a martyr by being hurled down from a rock.

At Padua, St. Bellinus, bishop and martyr.

At Rome, St. Siricius, pope and confessor, celebrated for his learning, piety and zeal for religion, who condemned various heretics, and published salutary laws concerning ecclesiastical discipline.

At Autun, St. Amator, bishop.

At Constance, St. Conrad, bishop.

In the diocese of Rheims, the birthday [into heaven] of St. Basolus, confessor.

At Adrianople, in Paphlagonia, St. Stylian, anchoret, renowned for miracles.

In Armenia, St. Nicon, monk.

At Rome, St. Leonard, of Port Maurice, confessor, of the Friars Minor of St. Francis, of the strict observance. He was remarkable for zeal, for he spent several years with extraordinary success in conducting his holy expeditions through Italy for the conquest of souls. He was ranked among the blessed by Pius VI, and among the saints by Pius IX during the solemnities connected with the eighteenth centenary of the princes of the Apostles, Sts. Peter and Paul.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.