15 Facts About Leonard Melki

Leonard Melki eventually became the principal of the school of the Capuchin Order in Mardin where he taught the French language and music.

Yusuf Habib Leonard Melki was born on October 4,1881, as the seventh of eleven children to Habib Awaiss Leonard Melki and Noura Bou Moussi Kanaan Yammine.

Leonard Melki attended the Notre Dame church near his home with his siblings.

Leonard Melki received his early education, like all Christian Lebanese children at the time, under an oak tree in his home town of Baabdat.

Leonard Melki began his novitiate in 1899 and received the habit on July 1,1899; he received his new religious name about a week later in honor of Saint Leonard of Port Maurice.

Leonard Melki made his initial profession at Santo Stefano on July 2,1900.

Leonard Melki was ordained to the priesthood on December 4,1904.

Leonard Melki passed a preaching exam on April 23,1906, and was given the certificate of Apostolic Preacher the following month.

Leonard Melki was destined to be sent on missions in the Ottoman Empire and began his mission in Mardin where he served as a teacher and preacher.

Leonard Melki was sent to the Capuchin station in Mezere to rest since the climate there is better.

Leonard Melki was allowed to go to Lebanon where he spent some months in 1911.

Leonard Melki returned to the Capuchin station in Urfa on Christmas 1911 and stayed there until 1914 when he returned to Mardin.

Leonard Melki was unjustly accused by the Ottoman government of conspiring to help the French government and was eventually arrested under false accusations on June 5,1915.

Leonard Melki was threatened and was given an ultimatum - convert to Islam and be freed or die under Christianity.

Pope Francis provided his final assent and approved the beatification on October 27,2020, which meant that Leonard Melki could be beatified.