April 29 is the anniversary of Leo A. Hart.

Leo Augustine Hart was born on December 17, 1899, to Daniel Hart and Mary (Kearney) Hart, in Andover, MA. He was baptized on December 24, 1899, in the Church of St. Augustine, Andover, MA. He received his early education in Andover, and after attending three years at Punchard High School, he entered Villanova Preparatory School (St. Rita Hall) Villanova, PA. He began his novitiate on June 15, 1918, professed first vows on June 25, 1919, and made solemn profession on June 25, 1922. He received his B.A. degree from Villanova College in June 1922. He then studied theology at Villanova where he was ordained to the priesthood on August 2, 1925 by Thomas J. Walsh, bishop of Trenton, New Jersey. He spent a year at Catholic University, Washington, D.C., beginning in 1925, where he specialized in Psychology and Sociology.

In 1926, Father Hart taught at Villanova’s summer school, followed by an assignment to teach at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York. In 1927, he became sub-master at Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York. In 1928, he was assigned to the mid-west province where he taught at St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois. While stationed there he attended Loyola University for two years (1928-1929) and received a M.A. in Sociology. He ministered in the mid-west at the following locations: Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and the parishes in Michigan; namely, St. Matthew in Flint, and St. Clare of Montefalco in Grosse Pointe. In 1935, after a short stay at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Jamaica, New York, Father Hart served in St. Augustine Parish, Andover, MA. On November 25, 1935, he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Augustine Parish, Philadelphia, PA., where he remained until 1971, when he retired to St. Thomas Monastery, Villanova, PA.

Father Hart’s dedication to the Augustinian way of life was celebrated by his writing a biographical sketch of the life of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Augustinian Priest, (Patron of the Souls in Purgatory). The Introduction to his treatise, written in 1962, reads:

“The life of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine has been written in most of the languages of the world. My purpose in writing these articles is to extend and perpetuate a devotion that has survived for over seven centuries.”