Pope St. Leo the Great
Feast day: November 10
Born in Rome, Leo served as a deacon to Pope St. Celestine I and Pope St. Sixtus III. Leo was elected pope in 440 while on a diplomatic mission to Gaul, now France. He is one of three popes called “the Great.” He is known for preaching against the heresies of his time and for helping to bring the Church under the jurisdiction of the see of Rome. Leo led Rome’s defense against Attila the Hun’s barbarian invasion on Italy, by taking on the role of peacemaker. He died in 461 and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1754.
Collect
O God, who never allow the gates of hell
to prevail against your Church,
firmly founded on the apostolic rock,
grant her, we pray,
that through the intercession of Pope Saint Leo,
she may stand firm in your truth
and know the protection of lasting peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
