LENTINI, DOMENICO. — Priest, born in Lauria on 20 Nov. 1770, died there on 24 Feb. 1828. At the age of 20 he entered the Seminary of Policastro, where he studied theology. Ordained priest on 28 Oct. 1793, he returned to his hometown to teach the children of the people, while not neglecting to complete his theological studies. He was ordained priest on 8 June 1794 and continued teaching, spending his entire life in the fruitful triple apostolate of the school, preaching, and the confessional. The cause for his beatification has been introduced.
BIBL. G. B. Pisani, Prediche del servo di Dio D. L., precedute da alcuni cenni biografici, Roma 1894; C. Sica, Il ven. D. L., Grottaferrata 1930. Silverio Mattei
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LEONI, LEONARDO. — Composer, b. in Venice c. 1694, d. in Naples 1759. He was deservedly famous and is considered one of the most illustrious founders of the Neapolitan school. Eight oratorios and numerous sacred compositions, besides pieces for various instruments, are admirable works for the loftiness of their form and religious sentiment, although they bear the mark of the era in which they were composed. Many of his works are preserved in manuscript in the libraries of Italy and Europe; others have been printed in numerous modern editions.
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LEODEGAR (LÉGER), bishop of AUTUN, St. Of Frankish nobility, b. c. 616, d. near Arras on 3 Oct. 679. He was educated at the court of Clotaire III, then with his uncle Didon, bishop of Poitiers, who ordained him deacon (636), made him archdeacon of Poitiers (c. 653), and entrusted to him, with the title of abbot, the monastery of St-Maixent in Poitou. Called to the court (656), he became counsellor to St. Bathilde, regent during the minority of Clotaire III. Bishop of Autun in 663, he convened a council in his episcopal city that dealt in particular with monastic discipline (670).
Devoted to the poor, he founded in Autun the “Matricula,” a charitable institution which he endowed with his own goods. At the death of Clotaire III (673), he effectively contributed to the election of Childeric II of Austrasia to the throne of Neustria, against the Prefect of the Palace Ebroin. Counsellor to Childeric, in 675 he fell into disgrace through calumnious accusations and was exiled to Luxeuil. Returning to Autun after the assassination of Childeric (Sept. 675), soon besieged by the troops of Ebroin, he wished to spare his people and surrendered to the enemy (676). His eyes were burned out with red-hot iron, his tongue and lips were cut off. Condemned by a synod at the orders of Ebroin, he was beheaded in the forest of Sarcing, near Arras. His remains were transferred in 684 to the monastery of St-Maixent. He is honoured as a martyr. His cult spread in France and Belgium. Feast on 2 Oct.