Leopold of Alpandeire
| Blessed Leopold of Alpandeire, O.F.M. Cap. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
24 June 1864 Alpandeire, Málaga, Spain |
| Died |
9 February 1956 (aged 91) Granada, Spain |
| Beatified | 12 September 2010, Armilla, Granada, Spain by Pope Benedict XVI |
| Major shrine | Capuchin Church, Granada, Spain |
| Feast | 9 February |
The Blessed Leopold of Alpandeire, O.F.M. Cap. (Spanish: Beato Leopoldo de Alpandeire) (24 June 1864 – 9 February 1956) was a Spanish Capuchin friar whose devotion is very popular among people in southern Spain.[1]
His life is not distinguished for any spectacular work but rather for the simplicity of his life, his kindness and generosity (especially towards the most deprived persons). He spent the majority of his life in Granada, city where its people still remember and celebrate him as a testimony of Christian life.[2]
Biography
Early life
He was born Francisco Tomás de San Juan Bautista Márquez y Sánchez on 24 June 1864, in Alpandeire, Spain, a small village in the province of Málaga (southern Spain), and was baptized on the following 29 June 1864. His parents, Diego Márquez y Ayala and Jerónima Sánchez y Jiménez, were industrious peasants.[3] He was the eldest son out of four children from that marriage (two other boys and one sister). His brothers were called Diego and Juan Miguel, and his sister, María Teresa.
Márquez decided to embrace religious life in 1894, at the age of 35. His decision came after he witnessed a Capuchin friar preaching in the city of Ronda. He later declared that the secluded way of life of those men had made a good impression on him . He felt attracted by the idea of serving God by becoming similar to them.
Religious life
He decided to devote himself to religious life after hearing two Capuchin friars preach in the city of Ronda, on the occasion of the beatification of the friar, Didacus Joseph of Cadiz, in 1894. Even though he communicated his religious intention to the Capuchin friars in Ronda, it was not until five years later that he became part of the Capuchin Order. After several attempts were unsuccessful, he joined in 1899 as a postulant in the friary of the Capuchin Order in Seville. In 1900 he entered the novitiate and received the religious name of Leopold. After successive assignments to Antequera, Granada and Seville again, on 21 February 1914 Leopold was moved permanently to the friary in Granada, where he lived for the next 42 years.
Most of the time Leopold served as the quaestor (seeker) of the community, which had him walk around the city and into many homes requesting donations. Gradually he became a familiar sight in the city, so many people sought his advice or intercession, beginning to know him as "the humble beggar of the three Hail Marys," because that was the prayer dedicated to those who sought his blessing.
Leopold died in Granada on 9 February 1956, and is buried in a crypt of the friary church dedicated to his honor.[4]
References
- ↑ "Pope Calls Friar's Life a "Chant of Humility"". EWTN.com. 13 September 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ↑ "Leopoldo de Alpandeire, the Friar who Made the Street His Cloister to be Beatified". cbcisite.com. Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. 13 September 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ↑ Mauro Jöhri (15 August 2010). "Blessed Leopold of Alpandeire" (PDF). Circular Letter No. 07. Order of Capuchin Friars Minor. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- ↑ Vicepostulador de Fray Leopoldo(Spanish)
External links
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- Vicepostulación de Fray Leopoldo (Catholic Association in charge of the promotion of the Blessed Leopoldo canonization process) (Spanish)
- Order of Capuchin Friars Minor