MEMORIAL OF SAINT LEONARD OF NOBLAC, HERMIT – FEAST DAY ~ NOVEMBER 6TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Leonard of Noblac, Hermit. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, all the Saints and Saint Leonard of Noblac on this feast day, we humbly pray for the safety and well-being of all those in captivity, all prisoners, especially those imprisoned for the crimes they did not commit, we pray for justice and God’s Divine Grace, Mercy and intervention upon them.
SAINT LEONARD OF NOBLAC, HERMIT: Saint Leonard of Noblac (c 496-559) also known as Saint Leonard of Limoges was a Monk, Hermit, Abbot and Miracle-worker. A French nobleman in the court of Clovis I, King of France. He was converted to the Christian faith, along with the King, by St. Remigius, Bishop of Rheims. After his conversion he abandoned his worldly pursuits, left the royal court, and followed St. Remigius as a disciple. He obtained special permission from the king to release any prisoners whom he deemed worthy of pardon. A French courtier who was offered a bishopric, but became a recluse at Micy, France. He then lived at Limoges, France, and he was given land by the royal court on which he founded Noblac Abbey, later called Saint-Leonard.
Saint Leonard was born towards the end of the fifth century to noble and illustrious parents in Gaul (now France), in the castle of Vendome in Orleans. Born into Frankish royalty, he belonged to the court of King Clovis and his relatives were dignitaries, military commanders and people of both privilege and society. St. Leonard was baptized by future Saint Remigius and the King, himself, stood as sponsor for him. While he was still very young, the kingdom was threatened by an invading army which they were losing. The Queen, knowing of Leonard’s Christian faith, jokingly suggested to Leonard that he invoke the help of his God to repel the invading attack by the army. Leonard prayed, the tide of battle turned and the armies of Gaul won, thus naming Clovis victorious. Saint Remigius, bishop of Rheims then used this miracle to convert the King, Leonard, and a thousand of their followers to Christianity. Following his conversion, St. Leonard refused the offer of a See from his grandfather, King Clovis I. He then began a life of austerity, sanctification, and preaching. His desire to know God grew so strong that he decided to enter the monastery at Orleans to live a life of prayer and penance. His brother, Saint Lifiard, followed his example and, leaving the King’s court, built a monastery at Meun, and lived there. However, Leonard desired further seclusion than what the monastery allowed, so he withdrew into the forest of Limousin to live as a hermit, converting many on the way, and living on herbs, wild fruits, and spring water. He built himself an oratory, leaving it only for journeys to churches. Others, recognizing his holiness, begged to live with him in his ascetic life, and a monastery was formed. In thanksgiving for his prayers that the Queen of France would safely deliver her child, St. Leonard was given a large tract of royal land in Noblac. There the saint built an abbey where he served as abbot until his death. A village grew around the abbey that still exists today, named Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat. He died of natural causes around 559. After his death, churches were dedicated to him in France, England, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Bohemia, Poland and other countries. Pilgrims flocked to his tomb, and in one small town in Bavaria there are records of 4,000 favors granted through Saint Leonard’s intercession. St. Leonard had a great compassion for prisoners, and converted many and obtaining their release. He’s the Patron Saint of prisoners; political prisoners, imprisoned people, prisoners of war, and captives; women in labour, childbirth; against burglaries; against robberies or robbers; barrel makers, coopers; blacksmiths; coal miners; coppersmiths; farmers; greengrocers, grocers; horses; locksmiths; miners; porters and many cities.
PRAYER FOR THOSE IN PRISON DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIMES: Heavenly Father, you are sovereign over all, giving justice and proclaiming liberty to the captive. You were with Joseph when he was imprisoned in the king’s jail. Your spirit visited Paul during his incarceration. And you sent your son, Jesus, to proclaim good news and freedom. God, we ask you to be with all those who are incarcerated today, for those living out sentences, and those awaiting trial or bail. Let your spirit of peace and comfort be upon them. They are some of your most vulnerable children and they are at high risk of exposure to coronavirus and other diseases. Provide them with resources to keep them healthy and safe, let the ears and hearts of those in power be turned to hear the needs of your children. Keep all those who work in prisons and jails healthy and prevent the spread of the disease to all those they interact with, especially those who have no means of protecting themselves. All this we pray in your name… Amen🙏
PRAYER: Lord God, You alone are holy and no one is good without You. Through the intercession of St. Leonard help us to live in such a way that we might be deprived of a share in Your glory. Amen 🙏