November 26, 2024 Daily Devotion

Who Was Saint John Leonardi?

Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for medicine.

Ezekiel 47:12

John Leonardi grew up in the Republic of Lucca in Italy during the 16th century. As a young man he began to study apothecary prior to entering the priesthood. Mindful of his early pharmaceutical training, he was zealous to administer the “medicine of God.” He wrote a letter to Pope Pius V, urging him to encourage a reform of public morality and the need for “skilled physicians,” attentive diagnosis,” and “suitable remedies.”

The first step he recommended was to seek the glory of God above all through prayer and patience, then attract reform by a shining example through the formation of the young. As we roll out the Creator Model of Healthcare to be empowered to live fully alive in mind, body, and spirit, we are blessed to walk in the ways of this great saint.

God, our loving Father, please heal the wounds of the world with Jesus Christ, your true medicine.