St. Leo the Great, Pope
by VP
Posted on Thursday April 11, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Artist Francisco Herrera the Younger (1627–1685)
"He was descended of a noble family, and his great abilities and mature judgment appeared in the rapid progress which he made in his sacred studies. Being made archdeacon of the Church of Rome, he had the chief direction of affairs under Pope Celestine. On the death of Pope Sixtus III., he was elected as most fit and worthy to be seated in the first chair of the church. He trembled at his exalted dignity, considering himself weak and unworthy, and besought God to support and strengthen him. He diligently applied himself however to cultivate the great field committed to his care; preaching to his people with great zeal, and converting many infidels to the faith. His signal victories over the Manicheans, Arians, and other heretics, are proofs of his zeal for the purity of the faith. By his authority the general council of Chalcedon was assembled in the year 451, chiefly against the errors of Eutyches.
When Attila the Hun marched against Rome, St. Leo at the request of the whole city went out to meet him, in hopes of softening his rage. The tyrant received him with great honour, and agreed to withdraw his army. Being asked why he had shewn this unusual deference to the bishop of Rome, Attila replied that he had seen a venerable personage in a priestly habit, standing by the pope, while he was speaking, and with a drawn sword threatening him with death, unless he complied with his demands. At another time the saint prevailed upon Genseric, king of the Vandals, to restrain his troops from slaughter and burning of the city. St. Leo was reverenced and beloved by all ranks of people for his humility, mildness, and charity; and having filled the holy see twentyone years, he died in 461.
Pray for the present pope, that God would direct and assist him in all the difficulties of his charge; that by his zeal all abuses may be removed which carry destruction with them, and may truly be styled, like Attila, the Scourge of God. And pray for yourself, that you may not give disturbance either to virtue or truth by any obstinate adherence to private opinions, or by encouraging vice." The Catholic Year by Rev. John Gother
