By Gonzalo R. Kaamino III

A pioneer missionary of the original Columban spirit, Father Peter Leonard came to the Philippines in the late 1950s, together with a group of the young, idealistic priests, all followers of the mission-vision of Frs John Blowick and Edward Galvin, founders of the Missionay Society of the St Columban. Earlier, the batch of Frs Hennessey, Corrigan, Chapman and the indefatigable, courageous and charismatic Patrick Cronin, paved the way for a much more enlivened missionary zeal. Later the group of Fr Sean Coyle further enriched the growth of the local church.

The things he started

Fr Leonard was instrument in the creation of the seminary on Gango, Ozamis City, as well as the formation of the local clergy in the Archdiocese of Ozamiz and the neighboring dioceses. Following the lead of Vatican II, he empowered the laity through the Christian Formation Center he built that developed local community leaders and strengthened basic ecclesiastical communities (BECs).

In Manila Fr Leonard built the Columban House of Studies in Cubao and worked as a teacher, adviser, spiritual director and confidant to lay missionaries, Sisters, seminarians and fellow priests.

Kind soul

In his simple, charming, gentle and unassuming ways, he endeared himself to people who were privileged to meet him. He was the epitome of simplicity and kindness. I was young seminarian in 1995 when I came to him to ask permission for a delegation from Ozamiz to visit the Cubao house. Without a second thought and with his characteristic smile, he welcomed the 50 Ozamiznons.

When my mother was refused a visa by the US embassy in her plan to go abroad, Fr Leonard offered her a teaching job in China to assuage her low spirits.

His last visit

When he came to Ozamiz at Christmas 2002, he visited my family especially because my younger brother was a Columban seminarian, and to finalize my mother’s papers for China. It was his last visit to people who loved him dearly as a friend, father and inspiration.

In the hands of God

Fr Leonard died suddenly on January 2003 in Ozamiz, a place he surely loved, among people close to his heart. With heartfelt sadness because of the empty place he left in our hearts, we bade a good priest adieu. But we are so happy in the thought that he is now in the bossom of the Father, face-to-face with God whom he lovingly and faithfully served.