May 12th - St. Leopold Mandic By: Catherine Tenny

St. Leopold Mandíc was born in Herceg Novi, Montenegro on May 12, 1866. He was physically malformed and delicate, with clumsy walk and stuttering. He was ordained to priesthood at the age of 24 on September 20, 1890. For several years Leopold taught patrology, the study of the Church Father's, to the clerics of his province, but he is best known for his work in the confessional, where he sometimes spent 13 - 15 hours a day. Several bishops sought out his spiritual advice. Leopold's dream was to go to the Orthodox Christians and reunite Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy, however his health would not allow for this. However, the cause of unity was constantly in his prayers. Leopold died in Padua on July 30, 1942, and was canonized in 1982.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

St. Leopold, you were a source of God's grace for all who had recourse to you. Through your intercession, may we live our lives in love, relying entirely on God's will, and strong in the hope of his promise, Amen.