After his ordination in 1572 Father Leonardi dedicated himself to works of mercy, especially in hospitals and prisons. The example and dedication of his work attracted several young laymen who began to assist him in his charitable works. He and his followers established a new congregation of diocesan priests called the clerks regular of the mother of God.
Father Leonardi and his Clerks Regular spread devotion to the Mother of God and the 40 hours devotion, and also the importance of the frequent reception of Holy Communion.
As a consequences of their holy work, the Clerks provoked great political opposition from the civil authorities in Lucca (imagine that!), and Father Leonardi was exiled from his hometown for almost the entire remainder of his life.
But during exile, Leonardi took his work to Rome where he became friends with St. Philip Neri, who became his spiritual director and held him in high regard for his high qualities of firmness, good judgment, and entrusted John with delicate works. In keeping with the spirit of the Catholic Counter-Reformation launched by the Council of Trent, John Leonardi and his congregation sought to deepen the knowledge and practice of the faith among clergy and lay catholics.
In a letter written to Pope Paul V, St. John Leonardi stressed the universal call to holiness for Catholics of all walks of life, but urging the Father that priority be given to the training of Pastors, as authentic reform in the Church must begin with those who communicate the Gospel to others.
St. John was tasked with overseeing the reform of several monasteries, and also founded a seminary for the training of foreign missionaries which became the present day college for the propagation of the faith.( cf. Collect: DEUS, qui beátum Joánnem Confessórem tuum ad fidem in géntibus propagándam mirabíliter excitáre dignátus es…)
John died at the age of 68 from influenza contracted by tending to his brothers stricken by the disease raging in Rome at the time. He has been held in such high regard that Pope Leo XIII had his name placed in the Roman martyrology. His relics are enshrined in the Church of Santa Maria in Campitelli in Rome which continues to be served by his Clerks Regular.
What a priest’s priest! And to imagine, he was 10 years into training for another profession before entering seminary. I know of several priests here in Cleveland who have followed a similar path. They trained as nurses, lawyers, chefs, engineers, CPAs, who felt the call, and answered it, thanks be to God. Countless lives have been touched, countless souls have been led to Christ because this pharmacist answered the call to priesthood and to holiness. May we too heed God’s call to serve his Holy Will, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
That Pope Francis and all Bishops and Clergy may humbly and faithfully pass on the Gospel of Christ in all its fullness.
That young people may be kept safe from the poisonous attitudes of the world and that they and their families may be kept in close friendship with the Lord Jesus and his Church, and if called, may they respond generously to a priestly or religious vocation.
Through the intercession of St. John Leonardi, we pray that all pharmacists may use their training for God’s glory, always respecting the dignity of every human life.
For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, for peace in Israel, and an end to war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for those who struggle to live the call of Christian chastity, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.
EF Readings
A reading from the second epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians
Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged. Rather, we have renounced shameful, hidden things; not acting deceitfully or falsifying the word of God, but by the open declaration of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even though our gospel is veiled,* it is veiled for those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves* but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of [Jesus] Christ. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged;* rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.
A continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke
At that time, the Lord appointed seventy[-two]* others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag,d no sack, no sandals;e and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you
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