ST LEONTIUS, BISHOP OF BORDEAUX - 15 NOVEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN NOVEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 15th of November 

ST LEONTIUS, BISHOP

Saint Leontius, also called Leguntius, is - according to Zedler - the 10th Bishop of Bordeaux, the second of this name or the younger (to distinguish him from St Leontius, his ancestor).

HE DID ARMED SERVICE IN HIS YOUTH

St Leontius was born in Saintes. He came from one of the finest houses in Aquitaine. In his youth he did armed service against the Visigoths in Spain and in Narbonne Gaul. 

HE BECAME BISHOP

Because of his splendid virtues, the people and clergy of Bordeaux elected him their chief shepherd in 541. 

From this time on he looked at his wife Placidina, who could count among her ancestors St Sidonius and the emperor Avitus, no different than at a beloved sister, and Placidina, completely devoted to godliness herself, found her greatest delight in supporting her husband in all good works. 

HE BUILT A CHURCH

St Leontius used his considerable property to build a church, which he also provided with the necessary income. 

Since he could not attend the 5th Council of Orleans, he sent the priest Vincentius instead; however, he appeared on the II. and III. Concil of Paris (551 and 557). 

BISHOP EMMERIUS

In 565 he assembled a council from his province at Saintes, in which the bishop Emmerius of that city was deposed, since his consecration was illegal because it was done without the involvement of the metropolitan, i.e. against the canons of the latter council of Paris. Subsequently, however, the matter was arranged in such a way that, at the request of King Charibert, he recognised Emmerius as Bishop of Saintes. 

St Leontius died around the year 565 and is venerated in Bordeaux on the above day, although his name is not in any martyrology. His wife, though very pious, was never publicly venerated as a saint in the Church.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints)

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Leontius may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.