Saint Leo the Great

With apparent strong conviction of the importance of the Bishop of Rome in the Church, and of the Church as the ongoing sign of Christ’s presence in the world, Leo the Great displayed endless dedication as pope. Elected in 440, he worked tirelessly as "Peter’s successor," guiding his fellow bishops as "equals in the episcopacy and infirmities."
Leo is known as one of the best administrative popes of the ancient Church. His work branched into four main areas, indicative of his notion of the pope’s total responsibility for the flock of Christ. He worked at length to control the heresies of Pelagianism, Manichaeism and others, placing demands on their followers so as to secure true Christian beliefs. A second major area of his concern was doctrinal controversy in the Church in the East, to which he responded with a classic letter setting down the Church’s teaching on the two natures of Christ. With strong faith, he also led the defense of Rome against barbarian attack, taking the role of peacemaker.
In these three areas, Leo’s work has been highly regarded. His growth to sainthood has its basis in the spiritual depth with which he approached the pastoral care of his people, which was the fourth focus of his work. He is known for his spiritually profound sermons. An instrument of the call to holiness, well-versed in Scripture and ecclesiastical awareness, Leo had the ability to reach the everyday needs and interests of his people. One of his sermons is used in the Office of Readings on Christmas.
It is said of Leo that his true significance rests in his doctrinal insistence on the mysteries of Christ and the Church and in the supernatural charisms of the spiritual life given to humanity in Christ and in his Body, the Church. Thus Leo held firmly that everything he did and said as pope for the administration of the Church represented Christ, the head of the Mystical Body, and St. Peter, in whose place Leo acted.

At a time when there is widespread criticism of Church structures, we also hear criticism that bishops and priests—indeed, all of us—are too preoccupied with administration of temporal matters. Pope Leo is an example of a great administrator who used his talents in areas where spirit and structure are inseparably combined: doctrine, peace and pastoral care. He avoided an "angelism" that tries to live without the body, as well as the "practicality" that deals only in externals.


Saint of the Day
Lives, Lessons and Feast
By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M. 

Dedication of St. John Lateran

Most Catholics think of St. Peter’s as the pope’s main church, but they are wrong. St. John Lateran is the pope’s church, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome where the Bishop of Rome presides.
The first basilica on the site was built in the fourth century when Constantine donated land he had received from the wealthy Lateran family. That structure and its successors suffered fire, earthquake and the ravages of war, but the Lateran remained the church where popes were consecrated until the popes returned from Avignon in the 14th century to find the church and the adjoining palace in ruins.
Pope Innocent X commissioned the present structure in 1646. One of Rome’s most imposing churches, the Lateran’s towering facade is crowned with 15 colossal statues of Christ, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist and 12 doctors of the Church. Beneath its high altar rest the remains of the small wooden table on which tradition holds St. Peter himself celebrated Mass.

Feast of St. Willibrord

November 7th, the universal church celebrates the Feast of St. Willibrord, the Apostle to the Low Lands. Around the world, Old Catholics and Anglicans celebrate this Feast as the founding of the Church of Utrecht, center of Old Catholicism. 

History of St. Willibrord

In about 678 Willibrord, a 20-year-old monk, left his Yorkshire monastery at Ripon and moved to Ireland. Inspired by the great tradition of Irish missionaries, he set out in 690 for the northwest coast of continental Europe. The region of Frisia, or Friesland, was still pagan but had recently been conquered by Pepin, the founder of the Carolingian dynasty. 

Willibrord brought with him eleven companions (more modest in its apostolic implication than the twelve companions of the earlier Celtic tradition). After destroying idols, Willibrord and his companions were thrown into jail and their lives were gambled for with the pulling of lots. Only one of the companions was given the martyr's crown. When Willibrord was faced with the pagan King Radbod, he answered his questions so boldly, that the king did not kill Willibrord but returned him to Pepin with great honors. 

The missionaries rapidly established a foothold in the region. With Pepin's support, Willibrord was in a position by 695 to be consecrated archbishop of a new see in Utrecht.
  

Willibrord also founded a great monastery at Echternach, where he died in 739. 

  

Installation of Archabbot Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B.

November 5,  marked the anniversary of the installation of 

Archabbot Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., as pastor of Saint Vincent Parish by Bishop Michael O'Connor of Pittsburgh. On that day Bishop O'Connor approached Wimmer with the idea of establishing a Seminary at Saint Vincent.

Bishop Michael O'Connor of Pittsburgh

Archabbot Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B.




http://bonifacewimmer.org/home

PreTheologians Pray for Hurricane Victims

Last week, with death tolls reaching 109 and millions without power, Fr. Nathan Munch O.S.B. and students of his ecclesial Latin class, took time  to pray at various locations in Westmorland county, PA; for the victims and those displaced by  hurricane Sandy.

Compassionate Lord, we pray for those 
Who have been devastated by recent natural disasters. 
We remember those who lost their lives. 
Have mercy on their souls. 
We hold in our hearts 
Families whose homes have been lost. 
Bring them consolation. 
Move us to offer aid and support 
To help rebuild houses and lives, 
Especially for those in poverty, 
In the U.S., in Haiti, and 
Through the Caribbean. 
Keep our hearts open to the development needs of all. 
Amen.