Ordinary Time: November 10th
Memorial of St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Other Commemorations: St. Andrew Avellino, priest (RM)
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Entrance Antiphon, Cf. Sir 45:30:
The Lord established for him a covenant of peace, and made him the prince, that he might have the dignity of the priesthood for ever.
Gospel Verse, Mk 1:17:
Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.
Communion Antiphon, Mt 16:16,18:
Peter said to Jesus: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus replied: You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.
Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Leo the Great, pope and doctor (400-461), during whose pontificate the Council of Chalcedon (451) defined that Christ is one divine person with two natures, divine and human. It was a confirmation of his Epistola Dogmatica (Tomus) to the Patriarch Flavian of Constantinople. He vigorously defended the unity of the Church. He detained the onrush of the barbarians under Attila.
The Roman Martyrology also commemorates St. Andrew Avellino (1521-1608). He was born in Sicily and died at Naples. As a cleric he went to Naples to study law, and was meanwhile raised to the priestly dignity.St. Leo the GreatLeo I, Pope and Doctor of the Church, ruled from 440 to 461. He is surnamed "the Great" and ranks among the most illustrious sovereigns that ever sat on the throne of St. Peter. Of his life, we know little; with him the man seems to disappear before the Pope. He saw most clearly that one of his greatest tasks was to vindicate the primacy of the Roman bishop, St. Peter's successor, and to raise the prestige of the Holy See before the entire world. Hardly any Pope in history has occupied a like position in the ecclesiastical and political world.
- Learn more about the Nestorian heresy and the Council of Chalcedon.
- Just as St. Leo triumphed over the pagan invaders, pray for the civilized barbarians who would persuade us that religion should be eliminated from education and that the State, in its laws and institutions should simply ignore our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Read Pope John XXIII's Encyclical on St. Leo.
- The name Leo means "lion," so a cake in the shape of a lion would be an appropriate name-day dessert.
St. Andrew AvellinoLancellotto Avellino, the future Sant'Andrea, was born in Castronuovo, in Potentino in 1521. As a young priest he served at an ecclesiastical court. While making a defense, a small lie slipped by his lips; soon afterward he accidentally read the words, "A lying mouth kills the soul" (Wis. 1:11). Deeply moved, he resigned his position and dedicated himself solely to the service of God and the welfare of souls. In 1566 he entered the Order of Theatines and chose the name Andrew out of love for the Cross of Christ. He was master of novices for ten years, from 1560 to 1570. He labored most zealously as a shepherd of souls. With fatherly love and prudence he spent countless hours hearing confessions. Subsequently he worked between Milan and Piacenza at the houses of the Teatini in the two centers to preach the saving message of the Gospel.
- What is our attitude on speaking the truth? Think about the seriousness of lying and examine your conscience about your attitude toward the truth. The words, "A lying mouth kills the soul," might well resound in our ears all through the day. And in what condition is my love toward Christ and His Cross? Would I choose the name Andrew out of love for the Cross? What a beautiful death—to die at the altar! Pray for an equally happy death, well prepared, and with the mercy of the last sacraments.
- Read the Catholic Encyclopedia entry for St. Andrew.
- See CatholicSaints.info for further information.