Pope Saint Leo the Great

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Pope Saint Leo the Great

Today the Church celebrates the memorial of one of the most outstanding Pope's in the history of the Catholic Church. Pope Saint Leo the Great, a Confessor and Doctor of the Church, was our Supreme Pontiff from 440 to 461 A.D. He was a man of the fifth century and he exemplified greatness in many fields and was a most commanding figure of his time. He was a gifted organizer, administrator and statesman. He worked against heresy. He was a scholar and an author of many liturgical texts, which are still in use today. He was determined and uncompromising in maintaining the faith from attacks against its physical structure and theology. History tells us that he always exhibited the greatest degree of personal humility and that he was a strong but mild man. He was charitable towards all and respectful of every class of people, out of love for Christ, whom he saw in all. His letter called the "Tome of Leo" was so clear, authoritative and convincing that after hearing it read and defended at the Council of Chalcedon (451), that the Council Fathers cried out, "Saint Peter has spoken through the mouth of Leo." Many of the finest and most beautiful prayers in the Roman Missal were composed by him. A great testament to his life of prayer! He also composed many of the readings in the Roman Breviary, which to this day are commonly read during the Advent Season. He died in 461. he shows us by his life that is truly possible to be faithful to the truths of our faith and to teach them and live with with great love. Just because one is faithful to what is true and good does not give one the license to be a brute or even to be insensitive in teaching them to others. Being faithful to the truths of God of His Church ought to make us more loving. Through his inercession may we all learn the truths of our faith and share them with others with great gentleness, prudence and charity.




From Holy Mass today we pray:

God our Father,

you will never allow the power of hell

to prevail against your Church,

founded on the rock of the apostle Peter.

Let the prayers of Pope Leo the Great

keep us faithful to your truth and secure in your peace.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever.

Amen.