Memorial of St. Leo the Great
St. Leo the Great, Pope and doctor of the Church (†461). Born to an aristocratic family of Tuscany. The first Pope to receive the title “the Great” for his brilliant defence of the early Church against the many heresies of the time, such as Pelagianism, Manichaeism, and disputes surrounding Christology and papal authority. He is celebrated for personally confronting Attila the Hun in 452 and prevailing upon him to retreat, thereby averting the invasion of Rome. See also: St. Leo the Great – The Great Lion of the Church
Other featured Saints
Sts. Narses, bishop, and Joseph, martyrs (†343). They were beheaded in Persia for refusing to obey the order of King Shapur II to adore the sun.
St. Justus, bishop (†627). Benedictine monk sent by Pope St. Gregory the Great to assist St. Augustine in the evangelization of the Anglos. He first became Bishop of Rochester, and was later appointed Archbishop of Canterbury.
St. Andrew Avelino, priest (†1608). He held the offices of master of novices and then superior of the Congregation of Clerics Regular (the Theatines) in Italy, contributing greatly to its growth. He made a vow to progress daily in virtue.
St. Baudolino, hermit (†eighth century). Hermit favoured with the gifts of miracles and prophecy. He died in Villa del Foro, Italy.
Blessed Acisclo Piña Piazuelo, martyr (†1936). Religious of the Hospitallers of St. John of God, he was killed in Barcelona out of religious hatred, during the Spanish Civil War.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Wis 6:1-11
Hear, O kings, and understand; learn, you magistrates of the earth’s expanse! Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude and lord it over throngs of peoples! Because authority was given you by the Lord and sovereignty by the Most High, who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels. Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly, and did not keep the law, nor walk according to the will of God, Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you, because judgment is stern for the exalted– For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test. For the Lord of all shows no partiality, nor does he fear greatness, Because he himself made the great as well as the small, and he provides for all alike; but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends. To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin. For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy, and those learned in them will have ready a response. Desire therefore my words; long for them and you shall be instructed.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 82:3-4, 6-7 (R.8a)
R. Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.
Defend the lowly and the fatherless;
render justice to the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the lowly and the poor;
from the hand of the wicked deliver them. R.
I said: “You are gods,
all of you sons of the Most High;
yet like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.” R.
Gospel – Lk 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
