Memorial of St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

Brief Background:

St. Leo the Great served as Pope from 440 to 461 A.D. and is remembered as one of the most influential leaders in the early Church. He lived during a time of great turmoil—both politically, as the Roman Empire was collapsing, and theologically, as false teachings about Christ’s nature were spreading.

Leo was a gifted preacher and writer who defended the true faith with courage and wisdom. His famous letter, known as the “Tome of Leo,” clarified that Jesus Christ is one Person with two natures—fully God and fully man—a teaching later affirmed by the Council of Chalcedon in 451.

He is also remembered for his pastoral leadership and deep compassion. When Attila the Hun threatened to invade Rome, Pope Leo personally met him outside the city and persuaded him to turn back—saving countless lives through his courage and faith.

Because of his strong teaching, clarity of doctrine, and pastoral care, he was given the title “Doctor of the Church.” St. Leo is the patron saint of preacher, orators, catechists and religious educators.



REFLECTION:

Every Sunday at 8:00 AM, our Adult Initiation group gathers in the rectory dining room. This past Sunday, I stopped by to listen in and talk story with them. Their topic was on angels, but as often happens in faith conversations, it opened into a wider discussion—this time about speaking in tongues and being “slain in the Spirit.” I could sense their excitement and curiosity, which was wonderful to see. Yet I also reminded them that whenever we encounter something spiritual, we must always discern the spirit—seeking guidance from Scripture, the Church, and trusted spiritual directors. Not every feeling or experience automatically comes from God. As the Book of Wisdom says, “perverse counsels separate people from God.”

This week’s reading from Wisdom 1:1–7 tells us to “love righteousness” and “seek the Lord with sincerity of heart.” True wisdom is not found in emotions or extraordinary signs, but in a heart that is humble, truthful, and open to God’s will. The Spirit of God—the “holy spirit of discipline”—will not dwell in a heart filled with deceit or selfishness. Instead, God’s Spirit fills the world with peace, truth, and goodness. That is why discernment matters: the Spirit of God always leads us toward unity, humility, and love, while false spirits lead us toward confusion, pride, or division.

Today, we also celebrate St. Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church. St. Leo lived this wisdom deeply. In a time when heresies and divisions threatened the early Church, he spoke with courage and clarity, guided not by pride or fear, but by the Spirit of Truth. His famous teaching, “Christian, remember your dignity,” calls each of us to live as people in whom God’s Spirit dwells. Like St. Leo, we are called to let God’s wisdom shape our words, our leadership, and our love for others—especially when confusion or false ideas arise around us.

The Book of Wisdom and the example of St. Leo both remind us that holiness begins with a sincere heart and a discerning mind. The Spirit of God is present wherever truth, goodness, and humility are chosen.

Examine your thoughts and actions—are they guided by truth and sincerity?
Each day, pause and ask: Do my words build up others? Do my decisions reflect honesty and love for God? The Spirit of Wisdom speaks most clearly in a heart that is transparent and humble.

Invite the Holy Spirit into your studies, work, and relationships.
When we welcome the Spirit into all we do—our schoolwork, our conversations, our service—ordinary moments become sacred. God’s wisdom transforms the simple things into signs of His presence.

Remember: Wisdom lives in the heart that chooses what is good and seeks God honestly every day.
Wisdom isn’t found in noise or attention, but in small acts of truth, love, and faithfulness. Each time we choose what is right, we open the door for God’s Spirit to dwell within us.

In the end, Wisdom 1:1–7 and the life of St. Leo the Great teach us this timeless truth: where sincerity and truth abide, there the Spirit of God lives. May we live each day with discerning hearts, letting God’s wisdom guide our words, our actions, and our witness to the world.