Saint Leopold Mandic like Saint Pio
His way of confessing resembled that of Padre Pio because, at times, his understanding was mistaken for laxity.
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and Saint Leopold Mandić were the two "Saints of Mercy".
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Prophecy of Saint Leopold
The saint revealed that that night he had had a horrible vision: the Lord had shown him Italy plunged into a sea of fire and blood.
In May 1944, the convent of Padua was hit directly by five large enemy aerial bombs.
The Capuchin convent was partially destroyed, both the cell of the Saint and the statue of the Immaculate remained intact, which remained unharmed in its altar.
The chapel of the Madonna was partially destroyed but the statue of the Immaculate remained unharmed in its altar.
Prophecy of San Loepoldo and San Leopold as Padre Pio
His way of confessing resembled that of Padre Pio because, at times, his understanding was mistaken for laxity. San Pio da Pietrelcina and San Leopoldo Mandic were the two Saints of Mercy. The saint revealed that that night he had had a horrible vision where the Lord had shown him Italy plunged into a sea of fire and blood.
Leopoldo, Mandic, prophecy, confessor, cardinal, vision
Saint Leopold Mandic like Saint Pio
His way of confessing resembled that of Padre Pio because, at times, his understanding was mistaken for laxity.
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and Saint Leopold Mandić were the two "Saints of Mercy".
Prophecy of Saint Leopold
The saint revealed that that night he had had a horrible vision: the Lord had shown him Italy plunged into a sea of fire and blood.
In May 1944, the convent of Padua was hit directly by five large enemy aerial bombs.
The Capuchin convent was partially destroyed, both the cell of the Saint and the statue of the Immaculate remained intact, which remained unharmed in its altar.
The chapel of the Madonna was partially destroyed but the statue of the Immaculate remained unharmed in its altar.
Saint Leopold a Saint to remember
Saint Leopold is remembered by all as the apostle of mercy. Thousands of people flocked to his confessional: many of these received graces or at least were comforted by a friendship and guidance that left profound traces. With his exceptional faith and humility he knew how to bring many souls closer to God. The true story of this man, dead yet present, is written every day by the crowds of pilgrims who flock to the Convent of Santa Croce, near his tomb.
Father Leopoldo was convinced that the return of the dissidents to Unity will take place one day or another.
He wrote to his spiritual director: «When we priests celebrate the sacred mysteries with this intent, it is Christ himself who prays for our separated brothers. Now, on the other hand, we know the effectiveness of this prayer of Christ, which is always answered." He discovered another guarantee of this return, in the profound devotion of the Orientals for the Virgin Mary. Such a good Mother cannot abandon them. «O Blessed Virgin, he writes, I believe you have the utmost concern for Eastern dissidents. And I wish to collaborate wholeheartedly with your maternal affection." All the faithful are also called to join the holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to pray to the Blessed Virgin in view of the reunification of Christians.
There are many aspects of the life of San Leopoldo Mandic that still constitute a beacon to illuminate human existence today. The first is the discernment of his own mission: Leopold was a man passionate about patristic readings, attracted to the study of the Holy Scriptures, a scholar of those doctrinal aspects and a profound knowledge of the human soul. This is a set of factors which constituted the right preparation to successfully face ecumenical dialogue, the principle of authentic ecclesial reunification. His infirmities providentially directed his mission towards total dedication to the mystery of confession, making him affirm that his "orient" was the city of Padua and his vocation was to bring God's mercy to many souls, a confined apostolate in the space of a confessional, where he gave confidence to the uncertain, hope to sinners and consolation to the afflicted.
Many faithful rarely resort to this sacrament for various reasons: the shame of confessing their sins, the fear of being judged for the evil they have committed, the spiritual laziness that pushes them to postpone the encounter with the mercy of God until a "date to be determined", How much the Church needs to have priests who inject the serum of mercy to stop the flow of that deadly poison through which the ancient serpent wants to destroy its prey!
Even today we can talk about the relevance of his message, Leopold wanted people to love each other, not to mistreat, not to violate other people's consciences, not to commit injustices; he wanted them to be nourished by faith, to regularly approach the sacraments, for the faithful to recognize in the Eucharist the greatest gift granted by God to men, for the weak, the sinner, the anguished, to be reborn and strengthened by approaching confession.
Father Leopoldo was affectionate, indulgent, attentive to the needs of others, he forgot himself, to the point of neglecting himself due to hunger, sleep, suffering. He slept very little, he almost didn't even eat, as time went by, arthritis and stomach pain weakened him, he gave himself to long prayers on the cold and damp floor, he welcomed the suffering. Yet the humble friar was endowed with a fiery soul and used to turn to the Lord, asking for forgiveness for his sins, and offered himself to suffer to atone for the sins of others - this is the mystery of the man of God.
Saint Leopold was a man full of love who left us a profound trace, a shining example, he spent every last bit of his strength on others. In our fragility and need, having a patron before God like Saint Leopold means opening a window of hope precisely where our strength alone cannot reach.
