Brother Leo Walencewicz, OFM Conv., a son of Francis and Aniela (Rudzewicz) Walencewicz, was born on January 8, 1896 in Poland, and there he received his education. Following service in the Polish Army, Brother Leo came to the United State, where he experienced another call – to the religious life. After long consideration, he expressed his desire to enter the community of the Conventual Franciscans. He professed his simple vows of obedience, poverty and chastity on August 24, 1924 as a religious brother.
Brother Leo exercised his services in two of our Friaries of formation: St. hyacinth, Granby, MA and Mt. St. Lawrence, Becket, MA. The reality of the evangelical councils which he had vowed was clearly manifested in his life as a religious. His spirit of obedience prompted him to fulfill with love the will of God, which he recognized with great simplicity in all his daily undertakings – the Rule, the Constitutions and the wishes of his Superiors. Brother Leo esteemed his vow of poverty and observed it rigorously. He was convinced that he had nothing of his own, and retained for himself only what was strictly necessary for his being and sustenance. Brother Leo was respected by all the Friars as an authentic religious, one who was constantly occupied for he was convinced that ‘idleness is the devil's workshop." In both Granby and Becket, he served as ‘chief chef," preparing the meals for 70 to 80 individuals. Despite all the time he spent preparing the dinners, Brother Leo would often be seen in the afternoon entering the forest with a wheelbarrow to transport fertile soil for his small vegetable garden. Although a small tract of land, he successfully raised enough produce to satisfy the appetites of the entire household. The seminarians and the faculty awaited with great patience the season for his juicy, large red strawberries. Brother Leo was small in stature, but magnanimous in spirit. In 1958, he was assigned to St. Lawrence Friary, Becket, MA, where he continued to interest himself in the art of cooking and horticulture. As time progressed, Brother Leo's health began to deteriorate, he was hospitalized in Pittsfield, MA, and there he ended his earthly life on March 22, 1971, in the 75th year of his life and 47th of his religious Profession. The Liturgy of Christian Burial for this truly faithful Franciscan Brother was concelebrated in the Chapel of St. Lawrence Friary, Becket, MA, and the mortal remains were laid to rest in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Chicopee, MA, on March 24, 1971 (Friars' Circle, No. 36.)

Brother Leo Walencewicz, OFM Conv., a son of Francis and Aniela (Rudzewicz) Walencewicz, was born on January 8, 1896 in Poland, and there he received his education. Following service in the Polish Army, Brother Leo came to the United State, where he experienced another call – to the religious life. After long consideration, he expressed his desire to enter the community of the Conventual Franciscans. He professed his simple vows of obedience, poverty and chastity on August 24, 1924 as a religious brother.
Brother Leo exercised his services in two of our Friaries of formation: St. hyacinth, Granby, MA and Mt. St. Lawrence, Becket, MA. The reality of the evangelical councils which he had vowed was clearly manifested in his life as a religious. His spirit of obedience prompted him to fulfill with love the will of God, which he recognized with great simplicity in all his daily undertakings – the Rule, the Constitutions and the wishes of his Superiors. Brother Leo esteemed his vow of poverty and observed it rigorously. He was convinced that he had nothing of his own, and retained for himself only what was strictly necessary for his being and sustenance. Brother Leo was respected by all the Friars as an authentic religious, one who was constantly occupied for he was convinced that ‘idleness is the devil's workshop." In both Granby and Becket, he served as ‘chief chef," preparing the meals for 70 to 80 individuals. Despite all the time he spent preparing the dinners, Brother Leo would often be seen in the afternoon entering the forest with a wheelbarrow to transport fertile soil for his small vegetable garden. Although a small tract of land, he successfully raised enough produce to satisfy the appetites of the entire household. The seminarians and the faculty awaited with great patience the season for his juicy, large red strawberries. Brother Leo was small in stature, but magnanimous in spirit. In 1958, he was assigned to St. Lawrence Friary, Becket, MA, where he continued to interest himself in the art of cooking and horticulture. As time progressed, Brother Leo's health began to deteriorate, he was hospitalized in Pittsfield, MA, and there he ended his earthly life on March 22, 1971, in the 75th year of his life and 47th of his religious Profession. The Liturgy of Christian Burial for this truly faithful Franciscan Brother was concelebrated in the Chapel of St. Lawrence Friary, Becket, MA, and the mortal remains were laid to rest in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Chicopee, MA, on March 24, 1971 (Friars' Circle, No. 36.)