by

A SENT ONE

SAINTS FOR ALL SEASONS
BLESSED LEOPOLD OF GAICHE

By Brother Patrick

In the Second Letter to Timothy, Saint Paul writes: “In the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead; and by his appearing and his kingdom, I charge you: preach the message, be persistent, whether in season or out of season; convince, admonish, and encourage, but with great patience and instruction. For the time is coming when people will not accept sound teaching, but will follow their own desires and gather among masters who will preach to their itching ears. They will be deaf to truth and captivated by myth. As for you, be sober. Endure hardship. Do the work of preaching the gospel and fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:1-5).”

Throughout history, Saint Paul’s words inspire holy men and women to preach the Good News of the Poor Christ in thought, word, and deed. Such is the life of one humble friar, one blessed follower of Saint Francis. Giovanni Croci (or John Cross) is born on October 30, 1732 in Gaiche, a small parish located just thirty-six miles from Assisi. His parents are farmers. They are poor. They are faithful. Giovanni is a bright and pious child. Legend holds that in exchange for tending a flock of sheep, Giovanni is provided a basic education that includes religious instruction.

In 1752, at age twenty, the young shepherd discerns a vocation to religious life. He is accepted in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. He is given a new name: Leopold of Gaiche. History does dot reveal a reason for this new name. It only teaches that ‘Leopold’ is a popular name during that time. It only teaches that ‘Leopold’ is a name that refers to a bold or brave person.

In 1757, Leopold of Gaiche is ordained a priest. He is a gifted homilist. His bishop asks him to serve as an apostolic missionary. Father Leopold becomes a sent one, an evangelist. He spends four years walking the earth. He becomes a frontiersman for the gospel. Praying. Preaching. Giving witness. Father Leopold calls God’s people to love and support the pope. He calls them to daily prayer and frequent confession. He beckons them to intercede for all souls in purgatory. He encourages devotion to the Sacred Wounds of the Crucified Christ. He revives the Way of the Cross as a popular devotion. He carries a cross. He wears a crown of thorns on his head. He wears a heavy chain around his neck. These penances give prophetic voice to the hard reality that we are all broken — bound by sin until ransomed by God’s mercy. As a missionary, Father Leopold offers more than 350 retreats in just three years.

In 1772, Pope Clement XIII appoints him chief apostolic missionary for the papal states. For nearly a decade, Father Leopold walks the length and breadth of the Italian peninsula. He preaches the gospel. He hears confessions. He offers countless more missions and retreats. The Franciscan Book of Saints says that his efforts are striking, outstanding, and “signally blessed.”

In 1781, Father Leopold is asked to serve as Provincial of the Franciscan Order in Umbria. During his tenure, he renews the fraternity’s commitment to faithfully live the rule and study the life of its patron, the Poor Man of Assisi.

In 1788, Father Leopold retires to Monteluco, near Spoleto. Even now, it is called the sacred wood or the holy mountain. Father Leopold builds a cloister and hermitage. He lives in peace and prayer. He lives in strict observance of the Rule of Saint Francis. But his peace is short lived. Napoleon’s army invades the papal states, kidnaps the pope, and closes all convents and monasteries. In protest, Father Leopold climbs to the summit of Monteluco which rises 2,723 above sea level. In protest, he plants a tree for the cause of truth, justice, and liberty. For this resistance to tyranny, he is briefly imprisoned.

In 1814, Napoleon is deposed. Father Leopold is now eighty-two years old. He walks from Monteluco to Rome, a distance of eighty-two miles. He begs an audience with Pope Pius VII, who gives permission to reopen the convent at Monteluco. Father Leopold returns to his holy mountain. Once again, however, his time of prayer, silence, and solitude is short. He passes from this life on April 2, 1815. But his labor in the Lord’s vineyard is not finished.

Leopold of Gaiche sleeps but his heart is awake! In the Chapel of Saint Francis on Monteluco, he lies incorrupt in a glass coffin. It is a place of profound peace. It is a place of healing and conversion. It is a holy place. It is a place of miracles. Leopold of Gaiche is beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1893. From across the ages, from across the miles, we lift our hearts to heaven and we pray:

All good and gracious God,
Creator of heaven and earth,
Master of the universe,
you called Blessed Leopold of Gaiche
to preach your gospel and give witness
to your sacred wounds.
By his prayers, help us now
to live the gospel, love the pope,
confess our sins, contemplate your passion,
and pray for all souls in purgatory.
We offer this prayer through the Poor Christ,
our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother,
who lives and loves
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and always. Amen.

Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Blessed Leopold of Gaiche, pray for us! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us!


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brother Patrick Garvey is co-founder and spiritual director of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary, and the Catholic University of America. He is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as an Associate Minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts. On October 3, 2023, the Feast of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Patrick was consecrated as a diocesan hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information about the Assisi Project and our ministries with adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

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THE ASSISI PROJECT
A FELLOWSHIP OF FRANCISCANS IN SPIRIT
INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY

Members of the Assisi Project, ranging in age from 15 to 99, pray each and every day for all who ask for our prayers. If you would like our fellowship to pray for you or your special intention, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. In communion with Pope Leo XIV and in solidarity with people of faith and goodwill everywhere, we also pray for peace, truth, and justice. In addition, we pray for all migrants and refugees; for the courage to speak truth to power; and for the poor, the persecuted, and the unjustly imprisoned. Please join us in prayer by clicking the link below! Thank you for your prayers! May God bless you! May the Risen Lord give you peace!

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. We are also dedicated to promoting a devotion to Pope Francis (1936-2025) as a patron of peace, mercy, and fraternity in our sick and suffering world.

The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. Please support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or mail a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!

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