Biography
Son of Domenico Casanova, a sea captain, and Anna Maria Benza. Placed at age thirteen with his uncle Agostino to study for a career as a physician, but the youth decided against medicine, and his uncle disowned him. Studied at the Jesuit College in Rome, Italy. Joined the Riformella, a branch of the Franciscans of the Strict Observance on 2 October 1697, taking the name Brother Leonard. Ordained in Rome in 1703. Taught for a while, and expected to become a missionary to China, but a bleeding ulcer kept him in his native lands for the several years it took to recover and regain his strength. Sent to Florence, Italy in 1709 where he became a noted preached in the city and nearby region. He was often invited to other areas, and worked for devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Heart, Immaculate Conception, and the Stations of the Cross. Established the Way of the Cross in over 500 places, including the Colosseum in Rome. Sent as a missionary by Pope Benedict XIV to the island of Corsica in 1744. There he restored discipline to the holy orders there, but local politics greatly limited his success in preaching. He returned exhausted to Rome where he spent the rest of his days. Born: 20 December 1676 at Porto Maurizio, Italy on the Riviera di Ponente as Paul Jerome Casanova Died: 11:00pm 26 November 1751 at the monastery of Saint Bonaventura, Rome, Italy