LEONE di SAN GIOVANNI. - Carmelite theologian and mystic, Giovanni Macé in secular life, b. at Rennes in 1600, d. at Paris in 1671. Having entered the Order in 1616, he distinguished himself no less by his learning than by his gifts of governance. He is regarded as one of the best disciples of the celebrated mystic Giovanni di S. Sansone (v.) and as one of the firmest pillars of the reform of Tours. He was prior of several convents, provincial, assistant general, apostolic visitor, preacher to Kings Luigi XIII and Luigi XIV, and confessor to Card. Richelieu, whom he assisted on his deathbed. L. was an able preacher and writer.
His literary activity in Latin and French was prodigious and embraced scholastic theology and philosophy, history and hagiography, as well as a large number of sermons. In mystical matters, moreover, he held that high contemplation is not something extraordinary, but the simple development of Christian practices.