Seventy-five years ago, precisely on 30th June, 1942, in the middle of the Second World War II, Saint Leopold Mandic died in Padua. Saint Leopold became known as the Apostle of Confession and of Unity.
Leopold Bogdan Mandić was born on 12th May, 1866, in Herceg Novi, in Boka Kotorska, modern-day Montenegro. In November of 1882, when he was 16, Bogdan went to Udine to start his novitiate with the Venetian Capuchins. He was accepted in the Franciscan Capuchin Order and took the name Leopold. In 1884, at the Bassano del Grappa friary, Leopold made his temporary profession and in 1888 he made his perpetual profession.
This small,, sickly Capuchin friar, only 1.35m tall, had an awkward walk and stuttered, but a great spiritual strength that imbued his saintly soul. Although he wanted to be a missionary in Easter Europe to work for the reunification of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches Divine Providence wanted him elsewhere. Due to his physical deformities, stomach ailments, poor eyesight and arthritis, his Capuchin ministers wisely did not him abroad. Instead, they entrusted him with the delicate ministry of confessions, a ministry he fulfilled with an extraordinary commitment and love for Christ and His people. For 50 years Fr Leopold, in the silence, in the reserve, in the humility of a confession room he immolated himself by laying down his life for Jesus’ flock. His availability, smile, prudence, modesty, and wisdom made him an outstanding spiritual companion. His Capuchin confreres described him as “the confessor”.
Fr Leopold verbalised his dedication to the Sacrament of Reconciliation: “We hide everything, even what may appear to be a gift of God, so as not to make it an instrument of profit. To God alone be honour and glory! If it were possible, we should pass over the earth like a shadow that leaves no trace.” And to whoever asked him how he could live that way, he would answer, “It is my life!”
Saint Leopold gave his entire life for poor human beings who needed God and invoked him. He spent long hours serving those who pleaded for God’s forgiveness, consolation, peace, and serenity. For these troubled people, Saint Leopold offered his life as a gift. Moreover, he offered his sorrows and prayer for them and with them joyfully celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Saint Leopold’s gaze was always fixed on the Crucifix that hung over the penitent’s kneeler.
This humble servant of Christ and His Church, who guided so many souls to the Father’s House, used to say to his penitents words that clearly show God’s abounding holiness in and through him. “Be at peace; place everything on my shoulders. I will take care of it. I give my penitents only small penances because I do the rest myself”. The motivating factor for such an exceptional love towards every penitent who used to come and genuflect before him to confess was his untiring ecumenical spirit. It was Christ’s plea that there might be “one flock under one shepherd” (Jn 10:16) that made Saint Leopold a victim soul to the Lord, through his daily self-giving at the confessional. He offered his apostolic labours at the confessional for that full unity between the Latin Church and the Oriental Churches. He once confided as he wept: “I will be a missionary here, in obedience and in the exercise of my ministry”. Again: “Every soul who seeks my ministry will meanwhile be my Orient”.
I want to reiterate what Pope Francis told us Capuchins in his homily at a Mass celebrated for the worldwide Capuchin Community on 9 February 2016, in the presence of the relics of the great Capuchin confessors, Saints Leopold Mandic and Padre Pio in Saint Peter’s Basilica:
“The person who comes [for confession], comes to seek comfort, forgiveness, peace in his soul; may he find a Father who embraces him and says: ‘God loves you very much’; and makes him feel it! But you Capuchins have this special gift of the Lord: to forgive. I ask you: do not tire of forgiving!”
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap