–
9 October, commemoration
Position: priest
Died: 1609
Patron saint of: pharmacists and catechists
BIOGRAPHY:
He came from Tuscany. He was a pharmacist first and a priest from around the age of 30. In addition to founding the lay society of Christian doctrine, he established the religious society of clerics of the Mother of God. In Rome, he supported the establishment of hospitals and schools. Pope Clement VIII entrusted him with visiting many religious congregations and contributing to their spiritual renewal. He established a missionary training college which later became the Papal Institute for the Propagation of the Faith. He died in Rome at the age of 68.
SPREADING FAITH – A TASK FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN
He was born in 1541 in Diecimo, a commune near Lucca in northern Italy. He was raised in a Christian family, led a devout life, and chose a career in pharmacy. At the same time, he began to devote himself to lay apostolic activity, forming a fraternal community called the Columbines with a group of friends led by a Dominican priest. This community aimed to lead a more devout Christian life and provide assistance to the poor and pilgrims. He then began to consider religious life, but was unsuccessful with the Lesser Brothers. At the age of 26, his search turned into a vocation to the priesthood, recommended by his confessor.
John studied theology and was ordained a priest in 1571. Focusing on teaching religion according to the Council of Trent’s guidelines, he acted as catechist in all the temples of Lucca by the authority of the bishop. His manual for catechists went through multiple editions. He encouraged lay people to spread and consolidate doctrine by creating a ‘Society of Christian Doctrine’.
He also set a good example to fellow priests, and in 1574, he founded the ‘Brotherhood of Reformed Priests of the Blessed Virgin’, which was later renamed the ‘Regular Clerics of the Mother of God’. He obtained ecclesiastical approval for his brotherhood and was elected its chief superior.
However, the city lords disliked the zeal of the priestly reformer. They described him as a violator of public order who did not respect them, and issued a decree ordering his permanent expulsion from the city, with severe punishments to be inflicted if he tried to return.
Leonardi left his apostolate to continue to Rome. There, he received the support of Cardinal Baronies and Philip Neri, as well as the help of the Oratorians.
His activities did not escape papal attention, and due to his zeal and abilities, he was entrusted with various tasks, particularly those related to reforming declining religious societies.
In 1601, he opened the house of his priestly association in Rome, contributing to the city’s spiritual renewal through this activity. Priests who followed his instructions spread reverence for the Eucharist and encouraged frequent reception of Holy Communion.
John cared for non-Christians too, and together with the Spaniard G. B. Vives, he planned to establish a society of priests to spread Christianity among non-believers. In 1603, they established an organisation that evolved into the Urban College for the Propagation of the Faith, which later became the papal institute ‘de Propaganda Fide’.
Following his death in October 1609, John Leonardi was initially buried in the church of Santa Maria in Portico. In 1662, his remains were transferred to Santa Maria in Campitelli, the main seat of the religious society he had founded. Pope Pius IX canonised him in 1861. In 1861, John Leonardi was declared blessed, and in 1938, he was canonised by Pope Pius XI.
RESOLUTION, PRAYER
