Abbot, Holy Cross Abbey, Cañon City, Colorado (1937-1976)

Abbot Leonard Schwinn was nominated as second abbot of Holy Cross Abbey in 1937 and blessed on August 10, 1937.

He had become the second apostolic administrator of the community there following a construction debt accumulated by the first abbot, Cyprian Bradley, O.S.B., and circumstances of the Great Depression. Two priests were sent from Saint Vincent to help the community recover from the issues.

Father Leonard faced a total debt of over $700,000 and a loan to be repaid of $427,000. He had the assignment of meeting these obligations, saving the parishes from foreclosure, while continuing to perate the school and the abbey. By February of 1952 all creditors had been paid, the parishes saved and the community at Holy Cross stabilized.