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“I am only one person! Why should I do anything? What good would it do?” Today, as in any age, people seem plagued with the dilemma of getting involved. In his own way, John Leonardi answered these questions. He chose to become a priest.
After his ordination, Fr. Leonardi became very active in the works of the ministry, especially in hospitals and prisons. The example and dedication of his work attracted several young laymen who began to assist him. They later became priests themselves.
John lived after the Protestant Reformation and the Council of Trent. He and his followers projected a new congregation of diocesan priests. For some reason the plan, which was ultimately approved, provoked great political opposition. John was exiled from his home town of Lucca, Italy, for almost the entire remainder of his life. He received encouragement and help from Saint Philip Neri, who gave him his lodgings—along with the care of his cat!
In 1579, John formed the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, and published a compendium of Christian doctrine that remained in use until the 19th century.
Father Leonardi and his priests became a great power for good in Italy, and their congregation was confirmed by Pope Clement in 1595. John died at the age of 68 from a disease caught when tending those stricken by the plague.
By the deliberate policy of the founder, the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God have never had more than 15 churches, and today form only a very small congregation.
Reflection
What can one person do? The answer is plenty! In the life of each saint, one thing stands clear: God and one person are a majority! What one individual, following God’s will and plan for his or her life, can do is more than our mind could ever hope for or imagine. Each of us, like John Leonardi, has a mission to fulfill in God’s plan for the world. Each one of us is unique and has been given talent to use for the service of our brothers and sisters for the building up of God’s kingdom
Not heard of this saint but I like his attitude because it is one that I have lived by ever since I became a "believer" after my NDE. Every person is of equal value in the eyes of the creator and as such everything they do (and everything they dont do) has consequences.
The sentiments of St John Leonardi are particularly relevant today because the world has become obsessed with numbers. A friend of mine is a Quaker and one sunday he invited me to attend one of his "gatherings".
It was a rather quiet affair were everyone stands in silence and then suddenly someone will tell of a thought or an experience that they wanted to share. I thought this was quite nice. After the "meeting" they served coffee and cake, which I also thought was friendly. But then one of the quakers came over and asked my friend to introduce me . "I thought I would invite him to see what we are all about." Said my friend.
"Excellent! That´s just what we need, bums on seats" He responded.
Well I was furious. "Oh, is that what I am? A bum on a seat. I am not a person, not a human-being or even a soul, but a bum on a seat. Mearly a number, a then I wish you best of luck but I will not be merely a statistic for you little club. If all you are interested in is numbers I suggest you start a bank" I said, and walked out. My friend was in turn angry with me but he should have known better that am a person who was raised to speak my mind. There is no mask on my face.
even though I no longer practiced the faith.
Even though I had abandoned the catholic faith after my NDE, I had kept friends with my local catholic priest and would often visit him for a chat and a coffee. One one such day he opened the door and I saw he was crying.
He told me that they were going to sell his 300 year old church to make a car park. His parish attendance had been dwindling over the years and it had come to the point were the Bishop decided it sell the church. I was shocked. He went on to explain that he had recently invited a famous irish singing priest (I had actually never heard of him) to have a concert in the church in order to boost attendance figures, The church could hold 2000 people when full but only 200 actually came to the concert.
"If they wont come for that then what will make them come?" He said.
"What can I do Arthur, they are going to take my church away?
He was really upset.
"Father" I said " A church is not a theatre nor a cinema. God is not interested in numbers but souls. Did not the shepherd leave his herd to go after one lost sheep? Doesnt that tell us how imprtant one soul is? Father, a church is not made to be a place of entertainment it is a house of God. For me, a church is a place where I go to visit God. Just like when I visit you and we have a chat and a coffee, when I come into a church I want to have a chat with God in his home here on earth. We are all lost sheep so I know he will always treat me as an important soul, not just one of a many bums on seats. In order for there to be a conversation, there has to be two talking. I dont go to church to worship God, I go there to talk WITH him. God is our father. I also have a father in this life. My Dad. But I dont worship my Dad, I talk with him. The more we talk together the closer we become, and the more closer we become, the stronger my love for him grows. His love for me is unquestionable. I feel the catholic church has lost sight of this. I dont think my Dad wants me to worship him but to love him. And I do not believe God wants us to worship him but to love him" I said.
Sadly, 6 months later. the church was pulled down. In protest I chained myself to the gates in front of the church. When the bulldozers came I stopped them for about 5 hours until police came and cut the chains off me and dragged me away. I was the only person in the entire town of 250,000 who tired to stop it. I was not even a member of the church. Today there lies a fine car park where the church once stood. I lost touch with my old priest friend after I emigrated to Norway.
Thanks for the interesting post. Sorry my reply was a bit long but I guess the story of St Leonardi brought back memories.
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dont misunderstand me on this .to worship God or to talk with him depends on the mindset of the individual.both are good
to worship God you try to explain that he is the reason for ur existance .to talk with him you take God as a best friend that you can rely on.for the demolition of the churches that show that the world is coming to an end gradualy. the only thing people now want is enjoyment and nothing again to offer positivly to their fellow human being .the best thing to do in this life is to follow ur heart.i believe that can lead us well.GOD hv desinged something inside us to checkmate us which is (CONSCIENCE)
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I understand you.
I also came to a conclusion that the only thing that one can do it is follow your own heart. I like what you said about the worship mindset. I can accept that.
Look forward to your next post. ;)
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thank you
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are you not a citizen of norway?
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