BLESSED LEOPOLDO da GAIChE. - Apostolic missionary of the Friars Minor, born at Gachie (Perugia) on 30 Oct. 1732, died at Monteluco (Spoleto) on 2 Apr. 1815. Ordained priest in 1757, he taught philosophy and theology for several years, subsequently holding various important offices, including those of guardian, custos, and provincial minister.
He sought to revive sacred preaching and substantially adopted the method of St. Leonard of Port Maurice in giving missions to the people. For forty-seven years he preached continuously, though never leaving the borders of Umbria and the territory then belonging to the Papal States, as is evident from the Diary of the Holy Missions, which he wrote himself. He erected 73 Via Crucis and restored many others, setting up commemorative crosses wherever he preached. He established the retreat at the convent of Monteluco near Spoleto, where he remained until his death. He was beatified by Leo XIII on 12 Mar. 1893.