John Leonardi lived during a time of deep renewal in the Church, in the wake of the Protestant Reformation and the Council of Trent. Though first trained as a pharmacist, he eventually discerned a call to the priesthood and turned to the study of theology.

After ordination, Leonardi devoted himself to ministry among the sick and imprisoned. His compassion and dedication inspired several young men to join him. Together they formed a community that became the Order of the Mother of God, also known as the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God.

Committed to the renewal called for by the Council of Trent, Leonardi worked to strengthen both clergy and laity in their understanding and practice of the faith. In a letter to Pope Paul V, he emphasized that holiness is not reserved for a few but is the universal calling of every Christian.

Leonardi believed that renewal must begin with the young. In 1579 he founded the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) and published a compendium of Christian teaching that remained influential for centuries. He also helped establish a society of priests dedicated to foreign missions, laying groundwork for what became known as the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

In 1609, while caring for victims of a plague in Rome, Leonardi contracted the disease and died. His life of service was formally recognized when he was canonized in 1938.

He once wrote, “Nothing should be left untried that can train children from early childhood in good morals and in the earnest practice of Christianity.” His conviction continues to resonate today in the Church’s call to creative, faithful catechesis.

Reflections to Hold, Pray, and Live

• In the last three years of your catechetical ministry, what new approaches/methods have you used?

• To invite learners to try new things (as well as respond with their interests and gifts), might you suggest options (rather than everyone doing the same thing)? For instance, while exploring prayer: using paint, show you feel when praying alone, when praying with others; rewrite the Magnificat in your own words; design gestures to accompany your favorite Psalm; select a popular song that can be used as prayer creating a PowerPoint presentation to accompany it?

Author:

Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP
Member, NCCL Board of Directors

Her book, SAINTS & MENTORS for Catechists: 41 Models of Faith to Support and Guide You, can be purchased from Twenty-Third Publications
[GET YOUR COPY HERE]

Learn more about Janet and her publications at https://www.janetschaeffler.com/