Brother Leo
Encyclopedia
Brother Leo was the favorite disciple, secretary and confessor
of St Francis of Assisi.
The dates of his birth and of his becoming a Franciscan
are not known; but he was one of the small group of most trusted companions of, the saint during his last years. He was a native of Assisi and was one of Francis's first companions, and became his secretary and confessor.
After Francis's death Leo took a leading part in the opposition to Elias
: he it was who broke in pieces the marble box which Elias had set up for offertories for the completion of the basilica at Assisi
. For this Elias had him scourged, and this outrage on St Francis's dearest disciple consolidated the opposition to Elias and brought about his deposition.
Leo was the leader in the early stages of the struggle in the order for the maintenance of St Francis's ideas on strict poverty, and the chief inspirer of the tradition of the Spirituals on St Francis's life and teaching. The claim that he wrote the so-called Speculum perfectionis cannot be allowed, but portions of it no doubt go back to him.
A little volume of his writings has been published by Lemmeus (Scripta Iratris Leonis, 1901). Leo assisted at Saint Clara's deathbed, 1253; after suffering many persecutions from the dominant party in the order he died at the Porziuncola
in extreme old age.
All that is known concerning him is collected by Paul Sabatier
in the "Introduction" to the Speculum perfectionis (1898).
' book Saint Francis
, or God's Little Pauper. In this book, Leo is portrayed as Francis' constant companion. Leo is utterly faithful and steadfast, and yet struggles with his own shortcomings while following Francis.
Confessor
-Confessor of the Faith:Its oldest use is to indicate a saint who has suffered persecution and torture for the faith, but not to the point of death. The term is still used in this way in the East. In Latin Christianity it has come to signify any saint, as well as those who have been declared...
of St Francis of Assisi.
The dates of his birth and of his becoming a Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
are not known; but he was one of the small group of most trusted companions of, the saint during his last years. He was a native of Assisi and was one of Francis's first companions, and became his secretary and confessor.
After Francis's death Leo took a leading part in the opposition to Elias
Elias
Elias is the Latin transliteration of the Greek name , which in turn is the Hellenized form of the , meaning "Yahweh is my God". Another form of Eliyahu in English is Elijah.The name belonged most notably to Elijah , the Hebrew prophet...
: he it was who broke in pieces the marble box which Elias had set up for offertories for the completion of the basilica at Assisi
Assisi
- Churches :* The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi is a World Heritage Site. The Franciscan monastery, il Sacro Convento, and the lower and upper church of St Francis were begun immediately after his canonization in 1228, and completed in 1253...
. For this Elias had him scourged, and this outrage on St Francis's dearest disciple consolidated the opposition to Elias and brought about his deposition.
Leo was the leader in the early stages of the struggle in the order for the maintenance of St Francis's ideas on strict poverty, and the chief inspirer of the tradition of the Spirituals on St Francis's life and teaching. The claim that he wrote the so-called Speculum perfectionis cannot be allowed, but portions of it no doubt go back to him.
A little volume of his writings has been published by Lemmeus (Scripta Iratris Leonis, 1901). Leo assisted at Saint Clara's deathbed, 1253; after suffering many persecutions from the dominant party in the order he died at the Porziuncola
Porziuncola
Porziuncola, also called Portiuncula or Porzioncula, Porciúncula is a small church located within the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the frazione of Santa Maria degli Angeli, situated about from Assisi, Umbria...
in extreme old age.
All that is known concerning him is collected by Paul Sabatier
Paul Sabatier
Paul Sabatier , was a French clergyman and historian who produced the first modern biography of St. Francis of Assisi. He is the brother of Auguste Sabatier....
in the "Introduction" to the Speculum perfectionis (1898).
Brother Leo in Literature
Brother Leo figures prominently in Nikos KazantzakisNikos Kazantzakis
Nikos Kazantzakis was a Greek writer and philosopher, celebrated for his novel Zorba the Greek, considered his magnum opus...
' book Saint Francis
Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St...
, or God's Little Pauper. In this book, Leo is portrayed as Francis' constant companion. Leo is utterly faithful and steadfast, and yet struggles with his own shortcomings while following Francis.