Today we celebrate the beautiful memorial of Saint Leo the Great, who was a pope and doctor of the Church, reigning from 440 to 461. He was raised up by God at a crucial moment in the history of the Church, for the Roman Empire was collapsing during those years, heresies were dividing Christians, and barbarian invasions were threatening civilization itself.
Into that chaos, God placed a shepherd with extraordinary clarity of mind, depth of faith, and strength of leadership. Pope Leo became the voice of stability and truth through his preaching and writings. He helped the Church understand and articulate who Christ truly is—true God and true man. His famous Tome of Leo, written for the Council of Chalcedon in 451, became a defining moment in Christian doctrine. The Council Fathers, upon hearing it, declared, “Peter has spoken through Leo,” recognizing that God was speaking through the successor of Peter to guide his Church into truth.
Pope Leo was not only a theologian, but also a strong and courageous pastor. He personally met the notoriously vicious Attila the Hun at the gates of Rome, persuading him to turn back without bloodshed—an act that saved countless lives. Imagine, my friends: in that moment, Pope Leo’s moral authority as a spiritual father was greater than the might of a vicious army. Through intellect, holiness, and courage, God used this saint to protect both the faith and the faithful—the very definition of a great pope.
The Church calls him Magnus—the Great—for three principal reasons: his doctrine, his pastoral leadership, and his courage and faith. In doctrine, Leo articulated with precision the mystery of Christ’s two natures, divine and human, united in one person. This became a cornerstone of orthodox theology. In pastoral leadership, he cared deeply for the unity of the Church, addressing both heresy and moral decay with gentleness and authority. And in courage and faith, during times of fear and confusion, Leo stood firm as a spiritual rock, embodying the promise of Christ: “The gates of hell will never prevail against my Church.”
In today’s readings on this beautiful memorial of Saint Leo, the Book of Sirach beautifully captures the heart of Saint Leo’s life and mission. The sacred author describes the wise man who “studies the law of the Most High, who pours forth words of wisdom and glories in the law of the Lord’s covenant.” This is Leo—a man who prayed, studied, and taught from the wellspring of divine truth. His Tome was not mere intellectual work; it was the fruit of contemplation. The passage concludes, “Unfading will be his memory; through all generations his name will live.” This has proven true. Over fifteen centuries later, the Church still sings Leo’s praises and honors his wisdom.
In the Psalm, this theme continues: “The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is right.” Saint Leo’s words, both in writing and preaching, continue to nourish and guide the faithful. His wisdom was not his own; it was God’s—given to him to guide and shepherd the people.
Finally, in the Gospel, everything ties together beautifully: the confession of Peter—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That confession became the foundation upon which Jesus built his one and only Church. Saint Leo, as Peter’s successor, carried that same faith and exercised that same authority in guarding the truth about Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all sacred doctrine.
When the Church was threatened by confusion and division, Leo stood upon the Rock of revelation: that Jesus Christ, true God and true man, is the Redeemer of the world.
And may Almighty God bless you all through the intercession of Saint Leo the Great.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Lady, Mother of the Church, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
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