Saint Leonard of Port Maurice (1676–1751), born Paul Jerome Casanova in Porto Maurizio, Italy, became one of the most zealous preachers of the 18th century. From a young age, he felt drawn to the Franciscan order, entering the Reformed Friars Minor at just 21 years old. His deep love for Christ and his burning desire for penance soon shaped his entire vocation. Although illness nearly ended his ministry, God restored his health. From that moment, Leonard resolved to spend every breath saving souls through preaching, confession, and devotion to the Passion of Christ.
Preacher of the Passion
Saint Leonard’s words were like fire—piercing hearts and reviving faith in towns and villages across Italy. He traveled tirelessly, calling people to repentance and love for God. His favorite theme was the Passion and Death of Jesus, reminding the faithful that the Cross is the true measure of divine love. Through his fiery sermons and missions, thousands returned to the sacraments, renewed in faith and conversion.
His powerful preaching earned him the title “Apostle of the Way of the Cross.” Wherever he went, Saint Leonard established the devotion of the Stations of the Cross—not only in churches but also in the open fields and city streets. His greatest accomplishment was the erection of the Via Crucis in the Colosseum of Rome, a sacred site still revered by pilgrims today
Devotion to the Way of the Cross
The Way of the Cross was for Saint Leonard not merely a devotion but a way of life. He urged the faithful to meditate often on Christ’s sufferings, to unite their own hardships with His, and to find hope in the wounds of the Savior. This devotion, he taught, softens hardened hearts and leads souls closer to God’s mercy.
Saint Leonard also promoted Eucharistic Adoration, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and faithful attendance at Holy Mass. His spirituality was simple yet profound—anchored in humility, sacrifice, and constant love for the Crucified Christ.
Trials and Triumphs
Throughout his ministry, Saint Leonard faced exhaustion, opposition, and physical suffering. Yet, he never wavered. Even in weakness, he continued preaching missions, hearing confessions for hours, and offering spiritual guidance. He always attributed any success to God alone, saying, “My confidence is in Jesus, my hope is in the Cross.”
When Pope Benedict XIV summoned him to Rome, the Holy Father called him “a man truly apostolic.” His missions transformed entire regions and left behind a lasting spirit of penance and renewal.
Death and Canonization
Saint Leonard died peacefully on November 26, 1751, in Rome, after completing one final mission. His relics rest in the Church of Saint Bonaventure in Rome, where many still come to seek his intercession. He was canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867, recognized as a model of priestly zeal and missionary endurance.
His feast day is celebrated on November 26, honoring his tireless work for souls and his profound love for the Cross of Christ.