Leo Dupont

In Tours, Léon Papin-Dupont became actively involved in social Catholicism. As a man of independent means, he dedicated himself to works of mercy, notably within the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. In 1846, his meeting with Jeanne Jugan led him to contribute to the establishment of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Tours. In December 1854, he founded the "Vestiaire des Pauvres" (Saint Martin Wardrobe). On a spiritual level, he launched the Work of Nocturnal Adoration for men in 1849 in the Lazarist chapel. He also played a major role in the rediscovery of the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours on December 14, 1860, and campaigned for the reconstruction of his basilica.

Marked by an inner conversion at the age of 23, Léon Papin-Dupont led a life of asceticism and prayer. His spiritual encounter with Sister Mary of St. Peter, a Carmelite of Tours who died in 1848, was decisive. She had received revelations regarding the reparatory devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus. During Holy Week of 1851, Léon received a reproduction of the Holy Face, which he placed in his living room with an oil lamp kept burning permanently. As of Holy Saturday in 1851, the first unexplained healing occurred following an anointing with oil from this lamp. His house became a place of global pilgrimage, from which he sent oil throughout the world.

Léon Papin-Dupont died in Tours on March 18, 1876, crippled by gout and paralysis. On June 29, 1876, Archbishop Collet of Tours transformed his living room into a chapel, creating the Oratory of the Holy Face. The informative process for his beatification opened in 1883. On March 21, 1983, Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, conferring upon him the title of Venerable. His cause for beatification is still ongoing.

The spirituality of Léon Papin-Dupont is based on reparatory love for the Holy Face and active charity. His motto was 'Speak of God or be silent.' He practiced intense Eucharistic adoration and daily communion. His work greatly influenced Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who would associate the Holy Face with her religious name. The Oratory of the Holy Face in Tours, now entrusted to the Dominican friars, remains an active center of prayer.