Leopold Mandić

Leopold Bogdan Mandić [Mandich], OFMCap (also known as Leopold of Castelnuovo, ; 12 May 1866 – 30 July 1942) was a Croatian Capuchin friar and Catholic priest, who suffered from disabilities that would plague his speech and stature. He developed tremendous spiritual strength in spite of his disabilities and became extremely popular in his ministry as a confessor, often spending 12–15 hours in the confessional.

Although Mandić wanted to be a missionary in Eastern Europe, he spent almost all his adult life in Italy, living in Padua from 1906 until his death. He also spent one year in an Italian prison during World War I, since he would not renounce his Croatian nationality. owner of an Adriatic fishing fleet, natives of Zakučac (in the hinterland of the city of Omiš, 28 km from Split). Bogdan's parents were devout Catholics; father accompanied little Bogdan to church every morning for Holy Mass,

Mandić grew up in the orbit of a community of Capuchin friars based in the Province of Venice who had served in his town for two centuries, dating from when the area was ruled by the Republic of Venice. Physically malformed and delicate, he grew to a height of only , with a clumsy walk. He also had a stutter and stomach ailments. Among his various tasks were the teaching of the seminarians who followed him, as well as the household duties of the house, such as porter. Common to all his assignments was that of the duty of a confessor at the church which the friars served. This went on until 1906, when he was assigned to the Friary of Santa Croce in Padua. It was there that he would spend the rest of his life.

Death Mandić suffered from esophagus cancer, which would ultimately lead to his death at age 76. On 30 July 1942, while preparing for Mass, he collapsed on the floor. He was then brought to his cell, where he was given the last rites. Friars who had gathered at his bed began singing Salve Regina and saw that Leopold died as they sang "O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary".

Veneration As a result of the bombing during World War II, the church and part of the friary in Padua where Mandić lived were demolished, but his cell and confessional were left unharmed. He had predicted this before his death, saying, "The church and the friary will be hit by the bombs, but not this little cell. Here God exercised so much mercy for people, it must remain as a monument to God's goodness." The Sanctuary of Leopold Mandić was built to contain the confessional. Pope Paul VI beatified Leopold on 2 May 1976. Their bodies were available for veneration, first at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls, administered by the Capuchin friars, then at St. Peter's Basilica.

Patronate Churches and parishes St. Leopold Mandić Croatian Catholic Parish, Victoria St. Leopold Mandić parish church, Lima, Peru St. Leopold Bogdan Mandić Church and parish in Dragunja Donja (hr) St. Leopold Bogdan Mandić Parish in Koprivnica St. Leopold Mandić Parish and parish church (hr) in Orehovica near Bedekovčina, Croatia St. Leopold Mandić Parish in Osijek St. Leopold Mandić Parish in Požega, Croatia St. Leopold Mandić Parish in Slavonski Brod St. Leopold Mandić Parish in Virovitica St. Leopold Mandić Parish in Ljubljanica-Voltino, Zagreb

Croatian Catholic Mission in Auckland in 1990 was dedicated to Mandić.

Monasteries St. Leopold Mandić Monastery (hr) in Travnik of Daughters of Divine Charity St. Leopold Bogdan Mandić Monastery and parish in Dubrava, Zagreb

Sanctuaries St. Leopold Bogdan Mandić Sanctuary in Maglaj Sanctuary of Leopold Mandić in Padua Sanctuary of Saint Leopold Bogdan Mandić in Zakučac near Omiš