St Leo the great
Born in Tuscany in 391,
Deacon assisting the Pope in Rome,
ambassador in Gaul for the Emperor,
elected Pope in 440.
Distinguished for his pastoral care and for his preaching;
wrote to the Council at Chalcedon
expressing the church’s faith in Christ as both God and man, with 2 natures in one person.
Negotiated with Attila the Hun to spare Rome and its citizens.
Died in 461
Graphic (c) Netta Ewing.
Let us pray
Loving Father,,
As we celebrate the feast of St Leo the Great,
We recall the gifts that you gave him:
in bringing peace to Gaul,
in working for the church’s unity as Pope,
in affirming our faith in Christ as ‘true God and true man’ at the Council of Chalcedon,
in protecting the people and city of Rome from Attila the Hun,
and in caring for all your people.
Help us to be glad to share his faith and his courage.
Bless St Leo’s successor, Pope Leo XIV,
and our Archbishop William,
as they lead and guide our continuing efforts at evangelisation
and care for the world you have entrusted to us.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
