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 – Titus 2:1-8, 11-14
Beloved:
You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine, namely, that older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance. Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited. Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves, showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us. For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 1 37:3-4, 18 and 23, 27 and 29 (R.39a)
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests. R.
The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way. R.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
The just shall possess the land
and dwell in it forever. R.
Gospel – Lk 17:7-10
Jesus said to the Apostles: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”
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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