Paolo Girolamo Casanova was born in Port Maurice (now Imperia) in the Italian Riviera, and took the name, Leonard on entering the Friars Minor in 1697. Ordained priest in 1703, Leonard lived an eremitical life for some years, before embarking on a life-long apostolate of preaching missions and retreats throughout Italy and Corsica, popularising particularly the Way of the Cross. Leonard died in Rome in 1751 and was canonised in 1867 by Bl. Pius IX. He is patron of parish missionaries.
First Reading: Eph. 1: 3-14; Gospel: Mt. 16: 24-27
