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, he was 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.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Wis 1:1-7
Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart; Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him. For perverse counsels separate a man from God, and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy; Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not, nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin. For the holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit and withdraws from senseless counsels; and when injustice occurs it is rebuked. For wisdom is a kindly spirit, yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips; Because God is the witness of his inmost self and the sure observer of his heart and the listener to his tongue. For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world, is all-embracing, and knows what man says.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 139:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10 (R. 24b)
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar. R.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain. R.
Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I sink to the nether world, you are present there. R.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast. R.
Gospel – Lk 17:1-6
Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.” And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
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 due to religious hatred, during the Spanish Civil War.
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