April 5 — Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

One of the grandest Saints in the Church's Calendar is brought before us to-day. Leo, the Pontiff and Doctor, rises on the Paschal horizon, and calls for our admiration and love. As his name implies, he is the Lion of holy Church ; thus representing, in hi» own person, one of the most glorious of our Lord's titles. There have been twelve Popes who have had this name, and five of the number ajre enrolled in the catalogue of Saints; but not one of them has so honoured the name as he, whose feast we keep to* day : hence he is called <f Leo the Great/'

He deserved the appellation by what he did for maintaining the faith regarding the sublime mystery of the Incarnation. The Church had triumphed over the heresies that had attacked the dogma of the Trinity, when the gates of hell sought to prevail against the dogma of God having been made Man* Nestorius, a Bishop of Constantinople, impiously taught that there were two distinct Persons in Christ, — the Person of the Divine Word, and the Person of Man. The Council of Ephesus condemned this doctrine, which, by denying the unity of Person in Christ, destroyed the true notion of the Redemption. A new heresy, the very opposite of that of Neetorianism, but equally subversive of Christianity, soon followed. The monk Eutyches maintained, that, in the Incarnation, the Human Nature was absorbed by the Divine. The error was propagated with frightful rapidity. There was needed a clear and authoritative exposition of the great dogma, which is the foundation of all our hopes. Leo arose, and, from the Apostolic Chair, on which the Holy Ghost had placed him, proclaimed with matchless eloquence and precision the formula of the ancient faith, — ancient, indeed, and ever the same, yet ever acquiring greater and fresher brightness. A cry of admiration was raised at the General Council of Chalcedon, which had been convened for the purpose of condemning the errors of Eutyches. " Peter/' exclaimed the Fathers, " Peter has spoken by tbe mouth of "Leo!" As we shall see further on, the Eastern Church has kept up the enthusiasm thus excited by the magnificent teachings given by Leo to the whole world.

The Barbarian hordes were invading the West; the Empire was little more than a ruin : and Attila, "the Scourge of God," was marching on towards Rome. Leo's majestic bearing repelled the invasion, as his word had checked the ravages of heresy. The haughty king of the Huns, before whose armies the strongest citadels had fallen, granted an audience to the Pontiff on the banks of the Mincio, and promised to spare Rome. The calm and dignity of Leo, — who thus unarmed confronted the most formidable enemy of the Empire, and exposed his life for his flock, — awed the barbarian, who afterwards told his people, that, during the interview, he saw a venerable person standing, in an attitude of defence, by the side of Rome's intercessor : — it was the Apostle St. Peter. Attila not only admired, he feared the Pontiff. It was truly a sublime spectacle, and one that was full of meaning ; — a Priest, with no arms save those of his character and virtues, forcing a

PASCH: TIME If. Z king, such as Attila was, to do homage to a devotedness which he could ill understand, and recognise, by submission, the influence of a power which had heaven on its side. Leo, single-handed, and at once, did what it took the whole of Europe several ages to accomplish later on.

That the aureola of Leo's glory might be complete, the Holy Ghost gifted him with an eloquence, which on account of its majesty and richness, might deservedly be called Papal. The Latin language had, at that time, lost its ancient vigour ; but we frequently come across passages in the writings of our Saint, which remind us of the golden age.

In exposing the dogmas of our holy Faith, he uses a style so dignified and so impregnated with the savour of sacred antiquity, that it seems made for the subject. He has several admirable Sermons on the Resurrection; and speaking of the present Season of the Liturgical Tear, he says : " The days that in- "tervened between our Lord's Resurrection and " Ascension, were not days on which nothing was " done : on the contrary, great were the Sacraments ' then confirmed, and great were the mysteries that were revealed." 1

Let us now read the sketch of the Saint's life given by the Church in the Matins of the Feast.

Leo Primus, Etruscus, eo Leo the First, a Tuscan by tempore praefuit Ecctesiae,- birth, governed the Church at cam rex Hunnorum Attila, the period when Attila, the cognomento Flagellum Dei, king of the Huns, surnamed leiam triennii obsidione vading Italy. Attila pillaged captam diripuit et incendit : and burned the city of Aqui- unde cum xtoman ardenti leia, which he took after a three furore raperetur, jamque years' siege. This done, he copias ubi Mincius in Pa- rushed on towards Rome as the Scourge of God, was in-

1 Sermo lxxiii.

APRIL 11. ST. ] a wild firebrand. He had reached the place where the Mincio joins the Po, and was on the point of ordering his troops to pass the river, when he was met by Leo, who was moved with compassion at the misfortunes that were threatening Italy. Such was his superhuman eloquence, that he induced Attila to retrace his steps. When asked by his people, how it was, that, contrary to his custom, he had yielded such ready obedience to the demands of the Roman Pontiff, the king answered, that he beheld whilst Leo was speaking, a personage clad in priestly robes, who stood near, with a naked sword in his hand, and threatened him with death unless he obeyed the Pontiff Whereupon he returned to Pannonia.

Leo was welcomed back to Home amidst the exceeding joy of all. A short time after, when the City was invested by Genseric, the Pontiff's eloquence and reputation for sanctity had such influence on the barbarian, that he abstained from setting fire to the buildings, and forbade his troops to insult or massacre the inhabitants. Seeing the Church attacked by several heresies, and mainly by the followers of Nestorius and Eutyches, he called the Council of Chalcedon, in order to remove error and vindicate the Catholic faith. Six hundred and thirty Bishops assisted at this Council, in which Eutyches, and Dioscorus, and dum influit, trajicere pararet, occurrit ei Leo, malorum Italia impendentium misericordia permotus : cujus divinaeloquentia persuasum est Attil», ut regrederetur. Qui interrogatus a suis, quid esset quod prseter consuetudinem tarn humiliter romani Pontificis imperata faceret, respondit se astantem quemdam alium, illo loquente, sacerdotali habitu veritum esse, sibi stricto gladio minitanteni mortem nisi Leoni obtemperaret Quare in Pannoniam reversus est.

Leo autemKomae singulari omnium laetitia exceptus, paulo post invadenti Urbem Genserico, eadem eloquentiae vi et sanctitatis opinione persuasit, ut ab incendie, ignominiis, ac caedibus abstineret. Sed cum Ecclesiam a multis haeresibus oppugnari, maximeque a Nestorianis, et Eutycnianis exagitari videret ; ad earn purgandam, et in fide Catholics confirmandam, Concilium Chalcedonense indixit Ubi sexcentis triginta coactis Episcopis, Eutyches, et Dioscorus, et iterum Nestorius condemnati sunt : ejusdemque Concilii decreta sua auctoritate confirmavit

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His actis, sanctus Pontifex se ad reficiendas et sedificandas Ecclesias convertit. Cujus suasu Demetria, pia femina, sancti Stephani Ecclesiam construxit in suo f undo via Latina, tertio ab Urbe milliario ; ipse via Appia sub nomine sancti Cornelii alteram condidit. Multas prseterea et sacras aedes et sacra earum vasa restituit. In tribus basilicis Petri, Pauli, et Constantiniana, cameras exstruxit : aedificavit monasterium vicinum basilicas sancti Petri : sepulchris Apostolorum cus todes adhibuit, quos Cubicularios appellavit. Statuit, ut in actione mysterii diceretur, Sanctum sacrificium immaculatam Jiostiam. Sancivit ne Monacha benedicturn capitis velamen reciperet, nisi quadraginta anriorum virginitatem probasset. His et aliis praeclare gestis, cum multa sancte et luculenter scripsisset, tertio Idus Aprilis obdormivit in Domino. Sedit in Pontificatu annos viginti, menses decern, dies viginti octo.

Nestorius were condemned, (this last a second time.) The Decrees of the council were confirmed by the authority of Leo.

The holy Pontiff then turned his attention to the reparation and building of Churches. It was through his persuasion, that a pious lady, called Demetria, built the Church of Saint Stephen on her own land on the Latin Way, three miles out of the City. He himself built one on the Appian Way, and dedicated it to Saint Cornelius. He repaired several others, and refurnished them with all the sacred vessels needed for the divine service. He built vaults under the Basilicas of Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and Saint John Lateran. He appointed guards, to whom he gave the name of Cubicularii, to watch at the Tombs of the Apostles. He ordered that these words should be added to the Canon of the Mass : Holy Sacrifice, spotless Host. He decreed that a Nun should not receive the blessed veil, unless she had observed virginity for forty years. After these and other similar admirable acts, and after writing much that was replete with piety and eloquence, he slept in the Lord, on the third of the Ides of April (April 11th). He reigned as Sovereign Pontiff twenty years, ten months, and twentyeight days.

The Greek Church, in her Meneea, has an office in honour of St. Leo : we take from it the following stanzas. As they were composed before the Schism, they show us that the ancient Church of Constantinople believed the Supremacy of the Roman Pontiff, and that it is not the Latins that have changed the Faith. The Greeks keep the Feast of St. Leo on the 18th of February.

O happy Pontiff ! glorious O felix Pontifex, Leo in-

Leo ! thou hast been made clyte, fidelibus Sacerdotibus companion of the faithful et Marty ri bus consors effec-

Priests and martyrs ; for thou tus es ; invictus enim iu wast most invincible in battle, praeliis apparuisti, et im- and immovable as a tower and mobilis ut turris et arx fortress of religion. Thou pro- pietatis ; orthodoxissime et claimedst, with most perfect sapientissime Domini inef- orthodoxy and wisdom, the fabilem generationem pne- unspeakable generation of dicasti.

Orthodoxiae rector, pietatis magister et sanctitaterras lumen, orthodoxorum Deo inspirata gloria, sapiens Leo, tuis doctriuis omnes illumi- Spiritus Sancti.

6 ruler of Orthodoxy, teacher of religion and holiness, light of the whole earth, tis, universes divinely inspired glory of true believers, wise Leo ! thou enlightenest all men by thy teachings, O harp of the Holy nasti, lyra Ghost !

Heir of the See of Peter, Principis Apostolorum the Prince of the Apostles, Petri cathedrae haeres f actus, thou presidedst over the Ecclesiae prsefuisti ; illius

Church : thou hadst his spirit, mente praeditus, et zelo pro and wast inflamed with zeal fide inflammatus. for the Faith*

Beaming with most bright Splendidissimo lumine light, thou, O holy Leo, didst refulgens, sancte Leo, inef- admirably preach the ineffable fabilis et divinae incarna- and divine incarnation, teach- tionis sermonem clarescere ing the two Natures, and the fecisti, duplicem praedicans two Wills of the Incarnate naturam, et duplicem in-

God. carnati Dei voluntatem.

Resplendent with the know- Divinis resplendens dogledge of divine truths, thou matibus, fulgorem ortho-

HYMN.

(Die XVIII Februarii.)

Christ

342 pascb doxi© undique sparsisti, et haereseos tenebras dispulisti ; et vita discedens, o beate, lumen quod vesperam nescit inhabitas.

Filium unicum Christum et Dominum, ante saecula ex Patre genitum, et propter nos ex Virgine natum et nobis similem in terris apparentem,mirabiliter praedicasti, o minister mysteriorum Deo inspirate.

Super thronum pontificatus sedens gloriose, et ora leonum obturans, divinis venerandse Trinitatis dogmatibus, ovili tuo lumen Dei cognitionis splendescere f ecisti. Ideo glorificatus fuisti, ut divinus Dei gratise initiatus Sacerdos.

Velut sol omnisplendens ex occidente ortus es, mixtionem et confusionem Eutychetis sapienterdissipans, et Nestorii divisionem rejiciens ; unum Christum in duabus substantiis indivisibiliter, immutabiliter, inconfuse venerari docens.

A Deo inspiratus, pietatis praecepta velut in tabulis descriptis figurasti, ut alter Moyses apparens divino populo ; et in venerabilium conventu magistrorum ex- ^lamasti : Laudate, Sacerdotes, benedicite ; superexaltateChri8tum in saecula. lL TIME. scatteredst On all sides the brightness of orthodoxy, and dispelledst the darkness of heresy. Departing this life, thou, O blessed one ! now dwellest in the Light that knows no setting.

O inspired Minister of God's mysteries, thou admirably

Sreachedst that Christ is the mly Son and Lord, begotten of the Father before all ages, born for us of the Virgin, and dwelling on earth like unto us.

Seated with glory upon the throne of the Pontificate, thou didst stop the mouths of lions, and madest to shine upon thy flock the light of the knowledge of God, by proclaiming the divine dogma of the adorable Trinity. Therefore hast thou been glorified as a holy Pontiff initiated in the grace of God.

Thou, as a dazzling sun, didst rise in the west : thou wisely dispelledst the error of Eutyches, who mingled and confused the two Natures, and that of Ne8torius, who divided them as though they were two Persons . Thou taughtest us to adore one Christ in two Natures, inseparably, unchangeably, unconfusedly united.

Inspired of God, thou appearedst to the people of God as another Moses, showing them the commandments of religion written, as it were, on tables. Thou exclaimedst in the assembly of the venerable Masters : *' Praise, O ye Priests ! and bless, and extol Christ for ever."

Now, O Priest of Christ! Nunc coruscas, Sacerdos thou art brightly decked with Christi, pulchritudinis co- a crown of beauty. As a faith- rona decoratus, et ut fidelis ful Priest, thou hast put on sacerdos, justitiam induisti, justice. Pray unceasingly for et in paradiso voluptatis thy flock, now that thou hast mirabiliter exsultans, pro entered into the admirable ovili tuo Dominum inces- j oy of the Paradise of delights, santer deprecare.

Thou, O most blessed Leo ! Nunc ubi sunt cathedrae, hast worthily entered the abode throni et ordines Patriar- where are the seats and charum, beatissime Leo, tu thrones and ranks of the Pa- etiam Pater dignanter in- triarchs ; thou hast entered trasti ut verus Patriarcha, as a true Patriarch, all re- et fide et gratia circum- s plendent with faith and grace, splendens : ideo omnes tc

Therefore do we all celebrate semper beatificamus. . thy name for ever.

Glory be to thee, 0 Jesus, Lion of the Tribe of Juda ! that hast raised up in thy Church a Lion to defend her in those dark times, when holy Faith was most exposed to danger. Thou chargedsfc Peter to confirm his Brethren ; and we have seen Leo, in whom Peter lived, fulfil this office with sovereign authority. We have heard the acclamation of the holy Council, which, in admiration at the heavenly teachings of Leo, proclaimed the signal favour thou conferredst on thy Flock, when thou badest Peter feed both Sheep and Lambs.

0 holy Pontiff Leo ! thou worthily representedst Peter in his Chair, whence thy apostolic teaching ceased not to flow, ever beautiful in its truth and majesty. The Church of thine own day honoured thee as the great Teacher of Faith ; and the Church of every succeeding age has recognised thee as one of the most learned Doctors and preachers of the divine Word. From thy throne in heaven, where now thou reignest, pour forth upon us the understanding of the great Mystery which thou wast called on to defend. Under thy inspired pen, this mystery grows

1 St. Luke, xxii. 32. clear; we see how sublimely it harmonises with all other mysteries ; and Faith delights at gaining so close a view of the divine object of its belief. Oh ! strengthen this Faith within us. The Incarnate Word is blasphemed in these our own times ; avenge his glory, by sending us men of thy zeal and learning-

Thou triumphedst over barbarian invaders : Attila acknowledged the influence of thy sanctity and eloquence, by withdrawing his troops from the Christian land they infested. In these our days, there have risen up new barbarians, — civilised 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, the King to whom all power ltae been given, not only in heaven but on earth also. Oh ! help us by thy powerful intercession, for our danger is extreme. Many are seduced, and are apostates whilst flattering themselves that they are still Christians. Pray that the light, that is left within us, may not be extinguished, and that the public scandals, which now exist, may be brought to an end. Attila was but a pagan ; our modern statesmen and Governments are, or, at least, call themselves, Christians : have pity on them, and gain for them light to see the precipice to which they are hurrying society.

These days of Paschal Time must remind thee, O holy Pontiff ! of the Easters thou didst once spend, here on earth, when, surrounded by the Neophytes, thou gavest them the nourishment of thy magnificent Discourses : — pray for the Faithful, who have this Easter, risen to a new life with Christ. What they most stand in need of is, a fuller and better knowledge of this their Saviour, in order that they may cling more closely to him, and persevere in his holy

1 St. Matth. xxviii. 18. service. Thy prayers must get them this knowledge ; by thy prayers, thou must teach them what he is both in his Divine and Human Nature: that, as God, he is their Last End, and their Judge after death ; as Man, their Brother, their Redeemer, their Model. Bless, O Leo ! and help the Pontiff who is now thy successor on the Chair of Peter. Show now thy love for that Rome, whose sacred and eternal destinies were so frequently the subject of thy glowing and heavenly eloquence;