Feastday - November 6 Died - c.559 of natural causes Canonized - Pre-Congregation   St Leonard, being a patron of prisoners, is generally represented holding chains in his hands, although his statue here seems to hold a book, 1666 is given as the date for the creation of the statue, but it remains uncertain who did the work. Lazzaro Morelli, Giovanni Maria de Rossi, Andrea Baratta and others were active carving saints for the colonnade during this time.1       Photos

From: Catholic.org
St. Leonard
Feastday: November 6
According to unreliable sources, he was a Frank courtier who was converted by St. Remigius, refused the offer of a See from his godfather, King Clovis I, and became a monk at Micy. He lived as a hermit at Limoges and was rewarded by the king with all the land he could ride around on a donkey in a day for his prayers, which were believed to have brought the Queen through a difficult delivery safely. He founded Noblac monastery on the land so granted him, and it grew into the town of Saint-Leonard. He remained there evangelizing the surrounding area until his death. He is invoked by women in labor and by prisoners of war because of the legend that Clovis promised to release every captive Leonard visited. His feast day is November 6.

From: Catholic-forum.com
Leonard of Noblac
Memorial 6 November
Profile Frankish nobility. Part of the court of the pagan King Clovis I. The Queen suggested to Leonard that he invoke the help of God to repel an invading army. He did, the tide of battle turned, and Clovis was victorious. Saint Remigius, archbishop of Rheims used this miracle to convert the King, Leonard, and a thousand of followers to Christianity. Leonard began a life of austerity, sanctification, and preaching. His desire to know God grew until he decided to enter the monastery at Orleans. His brother, Saint Lifiard, followed his example and left the King's court, built a monastery at Meun, and lived there. Leonard desired further seclusion. He withdrew into the forest of Limousin, converting many on the way, and living on herbs, wild fruits, and spring water. He built himself an oratory, leaving it only for journeys to churches. Others begged to live with him, and a monastery formed. Leonard had a great compassion for prisoners, obtaining release and converting many. After his death, churches were dedicated to him in France, England, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Bohemia, Poland and other countries. Pilgrims flocked to his tomb, and in one small town in Bavaria there are records of 4,000 favors granted through Saint Leonard's intercession.
Died c.559 of natural causes
Patronage: against burglaries; against robberies; against robbers; blacksmiths; burglaries; captives; Castelmauro, Italy; childbirth; coal miners; coopers; coppersmiths; greengrocers; grocers; horses; imprisoned people; Kirkop, Malta; locksmiths; miners; porters; P.O.W.'s; prisoners; prisoners of war; robberies; robbers
Representation abbot holding chain, fetters or lock; chain; fetters; manacles

Saints Petronilla & Leonard	St Leonard
Queue to enter St Peter's St Leonard	St Leonard - on far right

¹Roma Sacra - San Pietro in Vaticano, Itineraries 21-22, ©Fabbrica of St. Peter's, July 2001

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