LEO OF SAINT JOHN. – Carmelite theologian and mystic, born Giovanni Macé in Rennes in 1600, died in Paris in 1671. He entered the Order in 1616 and distinguished himself no less for his learning than for his administrative abilities. He is considered one of the finest political preachers among the early mystics of Saint Samson (v.) and one of the most solid pillars of the reform at Tours. He served as prior of several convents, provincial superior, general assistant, apostolic visitor, and preacher to Kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV, as well as confessor to Cardinal R. Richelieu, whom he assisted on his deathbed. Leo was an able preacher and writer.
His literary output in Latin and French is prodigious, covering scholastic theology and philosophy, history and hagiography, as well as a great number of sermons. In matters of mysticism, he held that high contemplation is not an extraordinary thing but the natural development of Christian practices.
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**BARTOLOMEO M. XIBERTA**