An elder brother of Isidore, he became a monk and then archbishop of Seville. He led the Visigothic royal house and people from Arianism to the Catholic faith and presided over the Council of Toledo.
Life
Saint Leander of Seville was born in the sixth century in the region of Cartagena, Spain. His younger siblings, Saints Isidore, Fulgentius and Florentina, are all honored as saints as well. He became a monk and later Archbishop of Seville.
The Visigoths who ruled Spain at the time were largely Arian. Leander was exiled for a time for defending the orthodox faith, and in Constantinople he formed a deep friendship with Gregory, who would later become Pope Gregory the Great. He helped King Reccared embrace the Catholic faith and led the Third Council of Toledo in 589, bringing the Visigothic kingdom into the Catholic Church. He died around 600.
Spirituality
Leander's spirituality is the patience to build unity in truth. Though he suffered persecution and exile, he drew a divided people together not by hatred but by persuasion and prayer. His life of guiding his siblings in faith and treasuring friendship shows that faith grows within relationships.
Reflection
Leander raised his younger siblings in the faith, and all of them became saints. Do you pray for the faith of your siblings and friends? Why not pray for them today, naming each one?