Fr. Leo (William) of St. Isaac Jogues McCrudden was born on Jun 2, 1917, at St. John’s, Newfoundland to parents Leo and Bridget (nee Martin) McCrudden. He heard God’s call to the priesthood as a high school student and letters in his file reflect his desire to answer that call as a Discalced Carmelite Friar.  He entered the community on September 4, 1936, made his simple profession on September 8, 1937, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1942. After ordination,  Father Leo volunteered to go to the Philippines. He was one of the original six Carmelites who opened a mission there shortly after World War II. Their foundational work lives on today.

Father lived and worked in the Philippines until, on July 6, 1948. “The Carmelites were not long in the Prelature when one off them was asked for the supreme sacrifice. Fr. Leo and Fr Vincent (Scheerer) were out to sea in a storm to rescue some fisherman from the town of Baler. Fr. Leo and some of his companions from Baler lost their lives in an heroic effort in the Pacific Ocean (on or near around July 4, 1948)”.  Father’s body was never recovered. He was 31 years of age.