Leo I of Cava (Italian: San Leone I Abate; died 1079) was an Italian abbot and the second abbot of the Abbey of La Trinità della Cava in Cava de' Tirreni. He is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.[1]
Life
Little is known about the early life of Leo I. He was born in Lucca and later became a monk at the Abbey of La Trinità della Cava. He succeeded Alferius as abbot and led the monastery during the 11th century.
During his abbacy, the monastery expanded its religious and social influence in the region. He is traditionally associated with strengthening the Benedictine rule and the spiritual life of the community.
Veneration
The first four abbots of Cava were officially recognised as saints on 21 December 1893 by Pope Leo XIII.[2]
These abbots include:
- Alferius
- Leo I (1050–1079)
- Peter of Pappacarbone (1079–1122)
- Constabilis (1122–1124)
References
- 1.AnaStpaul (12 July 2023). "Saint of the Day – 12 July – Saint Leo of Cava (c. 990–1079) Abbot". AnaStpaul. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
- 2.Watkins, Basil (2015). The Book of Saints: A Comprehensive Biographical Dictionary. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 426. ISBN 9780567664150.