Today in the Franciscan world, we celebrate a very special individual by the name of Saint Leonard of Porto Maurizio, a saint who was fashioned and molded in the shadows of the cross of Jesus Christ. He is perhaps the greatest missionary preacher our Franciscan family has ever produced. He gave over 300 parish missions throughout Italy. His preaching was simple, passionate, and Christ-centered. He wanted to make Christ known—Christ in relation to the cross, Christ in relation to the mercy of God, Christ and how He is the source of the conversion of life.