FEAST OF THE DAY
Pope St. Leo the Great was a Italian of noble birth. In his youth, he
applied himself to his studies, especially in the study of scripture and
theology. He was ordained to the priesthood and was known to be
very eloquent in his writings and in his sermons. In 440, Pope Sixtus
III died, and Leo was elected to the Papacy. In exercising the office
of pope, Leo did not hold back any of his talents or any of the tools of
sanctity, learning, prudence and eloquence, which he had
developed, from the use of God.
During his reign, which exceeded twenty years, he battled the
heresies of Pelagianism, Manichaeism, and helped the faithful
strengthen their love of God. As a leader of Rome, Leo led its
defense against a barbarian attack. And as the pastor of all
Catholics, he reached out to the Church in the East to help settle
areas of doctrinal controversy.
During his lifetime, and especially during his reign as pope, Leo
wrote many letters and sermons encouraging and teaching his flock.
Many of these writings still exist today, and it is for these writings and
his sermons that Leo is a Doctor of the Church. Leo died around the
year 461.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict
without an enemy, no victory without strife. -Pope St. Leo the Great
TODAY IN HISTORY
461 St Leo I ends his reign as Pope
1977 It was announced that Pope Paul VI had ended the automatic
excommunication imposed on divorced American Catholics who
remarried.
TODAY'S TIDBIT
The automatic excommunication of divorced Catholics was not a
decree that was announced by the Vatican. This decree was first
imposed by the Plenary Council of American Bishops in 1884 and
applied only to the diocese of America.
INTENTION FOR THE DAY
Please pray for the strengthening of all families.