Saint John Leonardi (1541-1609)

Saint John Leonardi was ordained a priest and became very passionate about ministering to prisoners and the sick. His commitment and devotion attracted other young men to assist him, and they later become priests themselves. John and his fellow assistants and priests formed the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God of Lucca. However, this group spurred political opposition, with many believing that John had founded the group for his personal glorification. John was exiled from Lucca for most of the remainder of his life. While in exile, he was encouraged and looked after by Saint Philip Neri. John created the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, and put out a collection of Christian doctrine that was continually used until the 19th century. He died at the age of 68 from a disease caught while ministering to plague victims. Saint John Leonardi was canonized in 1938.