11/25/2025
St. Leonard of Port Maurice was born on December 20, 1676, in Port Maurice, Italy. His parents took care to raise him in the fear of God. During his childhood, he never cultivated bad friendships that could divert him from the path of good, and his amusement, apart from common childhood games, often consisted of improvising an altar and pretending to celebrate Mass, complete with a sermon.
St. Leonard of Port Maurice discussed his desire to follow the religious life with his confessor, Fr. Grifonelli. The latter, however, out of prudence, had not yet confirmed his calling, as he was waiting for a clear sign. One day, while Paolo was walking through Piazza di Gesú, thinking about which religious order to join, he saw two men dressed in a simple dark habit. Intrigued to know where they were from, he followed them until they entered a church: they were Franciscans. At that moment, the friars began to chant the hymn Converte nos, Deus, salutaris noster. He immediately felt overwhelmed by grace. He seemed to hear the Redeemer himself speaking to him, inviting him to this august vocation. He then went to tell his confessor what had happened. Fr. Grifonelli was finally convinced that the fervor radiating from the young man's soul could only come from God. Finally, at the age of 21, he entered the Order of Friars Minor at the convent of St.Mary in Porticelli.
Friar Leonard showed himself to be an exemplary religious. The zeal with which he carried out his duties, his piety in the choir, and his perfect obedience impressed everyone and revealed great spiritual maturity. With regard to his brothers in the community, he endeavored to raise them to the highest level of spiritual life. His will to become a missionary in China was impeded first of all by his theological studies at St. Bonaventure University in Rome, the responsibility given to him of being a professor of philosophy, and finally by his health. He had tuberculosis, which made him entrust himself to the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and he was restored to health.
In 1708, the Bishop of Albenga authorized him to carry out missions in his diocese. He began his apostolate in the town of Artallo, just over three kilometers from Port Maurice. He traveled there every morning, returning at sunset. All on his own, he preached and heard Confessions. He organized processions and always instituted a Stations of the Cross. Little by little, his work was winning over greater numbers of the faithful. In 1709, he was sent to Florence. His impactful sermons, especially in Prato in 1713, moved many to repentance. Over his life, he preached 339 missions across Italy, driven by his desire to "die on mission." He passed away on November 26, 1751, and was canonized on June 29, 1867. Pope Pius XI named him the patron of priests on mission in 1923.
St. Leonard, obtain for us the grace to persevere in the face of adversity and dedicate ourselves to missionary work.
