November 10, 2002
St. Leo the Great (Pope confessor,Doctor of the church)
(- 461)
With apparent strong conviction of the importance of the Bishop of Rome in the Church,
and of the Church as the ongoing sign of Christ's presence in the world, Leo the Great
displayed endless dedication in his role as pope. Elected in 440, he worked tirelessly
as "Peter's successor," guiding his fellow bishops as "equals in the episcopacy and
infirmities."
LIFE:
St.Leo was born in c-400 at Tuscany , Italy.
Leo is known as one of the best administrative popes of the ancient Church.Leo's
pontificate, next to that of St. Gregory I, is the most significant and important in
Christian antiquity. At a time when the Church was experiencing the greatest obstacles
to her progress in consequence of the hastening disintegration of the Western Empire,
while the Orient was profoundly agitated over dogmatic controversies, this great pope,
with far-seeing sagacity and powerful hand, guided the destiny of the Roman and
Universal Church. His work branched into four main areas, indicative of his notion of
the pope's total responsibility for the flock of Christ. He worked at length to
control the heresies of Pelagianism, Manichaeism and others, placing demands on their
followers so as to secure true Christian beliefs.
A second major area of his concern was doctrinal controversy in the Church in the
East, to which he responded with a classic letter setting down the Church's teaching
on the nature of Christ. In his famous dogmatic letter(tomos) to St. Flavian,Arch
bishop of constantinople, he clearly set forth the church`s doctrine that
Christ is one person but possess two distinctive nature the divine &human; an
example of infallible Papal pronouncement.With strong faith, he also led the defense
of Rome against barbarian attack, taking the role of peacemaker.
In these three areas, Leo's work has been highly regarded. His growth to sainthood has
its basis in the spiritual depth with which he approached the pastoral care of his
people, which was the fourth focus of his work. He is known for his spiritually
profound sermons. An instrument of the call to holiness, well-versed in Scripture and
ecclesiastical awareness, Leo had the ability to reach the everyday needs and
interests of his people. One of his Christmas sermons is still famous today. He died
on 10th November at Rome ,Italy.
Comment:
At a time when there is widespread criticism of Church structures, we also hear
criticism that bishops and priests—indeed, all of us—are too preoccupied with
administration of temporal matters. Pope Leo is an example of a great administrator
who used his talents in areas where spirit and structure are inseparably combined:
doctrine, peace and pastoral care. He avoided an "angelism" that tries to live without
the body, as well as the "practicality" that deals only in externals
REFLECTION:
""" thy Cross,O Lord, is the source of all blessings , the cause of all
graces;by it the faithful find strength in weekeness,glory in shame, life in
death"""(St.Leo the Great)
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