Early life Haid was born on July 15, 1849, near
Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to German immigrants John and Mary A. Stader Haid. He studied at
Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe and there became a
novice of the Benedictine
Archabbey of Saint Vincent in 1868. He made first profession as a monk on September 17, 1869. He adopted the first name of Leo.
Priesthood Haid was ordained a priest by Bishop
Michael Domenec for the Benedictine Order on December 21, 1872. He then served the monastery college as a professor and chaplain. On July 13, 1885, Haid was elected as first abbot of Mary Help of Christians Abbey (known as Belmont Abbey) ==References==