Fifth-century pope and Doctor of the Church who taught the two natures of Christ and is said to have turned back Attila.
Life
Saint Leo the Great, an Italian, served as pope from 440 to 461. At a time of fierce debate about Christ's divinity and humanity, he sent his Tome, clearly teaching that Christ is true God and true man in one person, and the Council of Chalcedon in 451 embraced this teaching.
He is also remembered as a shepherd who protected his people when Rome was in danger. In 452 he is said to have met Attila the Hun and persuaded him to withdraw from Italy, and when the Vandals entered Rome in 455 he met them and worked to limit the destruction. His sermons still appear in the Church's Liturgy of the Hours.
He died in 461 and is honored as a Doctor of the Church. The Church remembers him on November 10.
Spirituality
Leo's spirituality is deep gratitude for the mystery of the Incarnation. In a Christmas sermon he cried out, Christian, recognize your dignity. He taught forcefully that God became man so that we might share in God's own life.
Reflection
Christian, recognize your dignity. Do I live remembering my dignity as a child of God? Would you choose one thing to do today that befits that dignity?