Saint Leonard of Noblac

Life story

No source earlier than the eleventh century mentions Leonard. His vita is legendary and dates from the eleventh century; His traditional date of death, about 559, is not attested. The Catholic Encyclopedia says his history is uncertain, and there is no trace of his cult before the eleventh century.

According to the vita, Leonard was a Frankish noble at the court of King Clovis, with Saint Remigius of Reims as godfather. He obtained the release of many prisoners from the king, declined the bishopric the king offered, and entered the monastery of Micy near Orléans. Later, because he prayed for the queen's safe delivery, the king gave him a domain at Noblac, near Limoges, where he founded a monastery. All these details are legend.

His cult spread rapidly in the twelfth century after Bohemond I of Antioch credited Leonard's intercession for his release from a Danishmend prison in 1103. Bohemond's gifts helped pay for the Romanesque church at Noblac.

Leonard became one of the most venerated saints of the late Middle Ages, invoked for prisoners and captives, for women in labour and for cattle diseases. His feast is 6 November.

Works and witness

• In the vita: obtained the release of many prisoners from Clovis and declined a bishopric
• In the vita: founded a monastery at Noblac near Limoges
• His cult spread after Bohemond I was freed in 1103
• Feast on 6 November

Patron of

Prisoners

Saints from the same country

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Louis IX of France, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Francis de Sales

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent), St. Leonard of Limousin (newadvent.org/cathen/09178b.htm)
• Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent), Prisons (newadvent.org/cathen/12430a.htm)

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