Saint Leonard of Port Maurice

Life story

Leonard was born in Porto Maurizio in Liguria (now part of Imperia) in late December 1676; sources give either 19 or 20 December. He studied in Rome and joined the Franciscan Friars Minor in 1697, and after ordination he taught for a time.

From the early eighteenth century he devoted himself to preaching. For more than forty years he travelled through Italy giving retreats, Lenten sermons and parish missions, often to very large crowds. In 1710 he founded the friary of Incontro near Florence as a quiet place where friars could retire to pray after their preaching journeys.

He is also remembered for promoting the Stations of the Cross. He is said to have erected them in about 500 places, among them the Colosseum in Rome. His efforts helped spread this devotion in Italy and beyond. He also wrote sermons and spiritual works.

Leonard died in Rome, at the friary of St Bonaventure, on 26 November 1751. He was beatified in 1796 and canonised by Pius IX on 29 June 1867.

Works and witness

• Joined the Franciscan Friars Minor in 1697
• Preached retreats, Lenten courses and missions across Italy for over forty years
• Founded the Incontro retreat friary near Florence in 1710
• Set up Stations of the Cross in some 500 places, including the Colosseum
• Canonised in 1867

Patron of

Preachers and parish missionaries

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Martyrologium Romanum
• Decree of canonisation of Pius IX, 1867
• Franciscan hagiographies

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