Patron Saint of the Day-St. Leo the Great

November 10th
St. Leo the Great

Raphael's painting The Meeting between Leo the Great and Attila

St. Leo the Great was the first pope ever to be bestowed with the title "The Great". He was pope from 440-461, and is the tenth longest-reigning pope. 

Pope Leo was born in Tuscany in the year 400. He is best known for his meeting with Attila the Hun and persuading Attila to turn back from invading Italy. Raphael's depiction of this meeting can be seen in the image above. He also convinced the Vandals who had lay siege to Rome to cease looting and pillaging the city under their occupation. St. Leo the Great was instrumental in cementing the papacy as the ultimate authority of the Catholic Church, citing that the Church was built on Peter (Matthew 16:16-19). He left many significant writings and documents and is considered a father of the Church.

Links of Interest:

St. Leo and the Petrine Doctrine from Fordham.edu

More information on St. Leo the Great from doctorsofthecatholicchurch.com

Related Books at Reilly's:

Church Fathers and Teachers:
From Saint Leo the Great to Peter Lombard
By Pope Benedict XVI

Hardcover
211 pages
$16.95

The Fathers of the Church:
An Introduction to the First Christian Teachers
By Mike Aquilina

Paperback
289 pages
$13.95