Memorial of St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
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:
Mass Readings
First Reading – Phmn 7-20
Beloved: I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother. Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ to order you to do what is proper, I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus. I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment, who was once useless to you but is now useful to both you and me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the Gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary. Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord. So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me. And if he has done you any injustice or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, write this in my own hand: I will pay. May I not tell you that you owe me your very self. Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 146:7, 8-9A, 9BC-10 (R. 5a)
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free. R.
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers. R.
The fatherless and the widow He sustains,
but the way of the wicked He thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia. R.
Gospel – Lk 17:20-25
Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” Then He said to His disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’ Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day. But first He must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”
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 Angles. 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.
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