Saint John Leonardi

Life story

Giovanni Leonardi was born around 1541 at Diecimo near Lucca, into a working-class family, the youngest of seven children. He was apprenticed to a druggist. He was ordained priest around 1572, then trained lay leaders and catechists, and in 1579 formed the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. In 1574 he published in Lucca a compendium of Christian doctrine that stayed in use until the nineteenth century.

Also around 1574 he founded his religious society in Lucca; the bishop of Lucca recognised it in 1583 and Clement VIII approved it in 1595. Civic leaders of Lucca opposed the society for political reasons, so he spent most of his later life outside the city. In Rome he was a friend and spiritual pupil of Saint Philip Neri; in 1596 Clement VIII appointed him to reform the Monte Vergine Benedictines, in 1601 he did similar work with the Vallombrosans, and in 1603 he co-founded a seminary for the missions. On 14 January 1614 Paul V approved a union of his society with the Piarists, but they were separated in early 1617.

He died in Rome on 9 October 1609, after catching influenza while nursing fellow members during an epidemic. His society became the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God in 1621. Pius IX beatified him in 1861 and Pius XI canonised him on 17 April 1938. His relics are at Santa Maria in Campitelli in Rome. His feast day is 9 October.

Works and witness

• Trained with a druggist in Lucca, then was ordained around 1572
• Formed the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in 1579
• Founded his society in Lucca around 1574; approved by Rome in 1595
• Reformed the Monte Vergine and Vallombrosan monks at Rome's request
• Co-founded a seminary for the missions in 1603

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Encyclopedia.com (New Catholic Encyclopedia): 'Leonardi, John, St.', encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/leonardi-john-st

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.