Saints celebrated on the 17th of July
SAINT LEO IV., POPE AND CONFESSOR
Saint Leo IV was son of a Roman nobleman, had been educated in the monastery of St Martin without the walls, and was made by Sergius II priest of the four crowned martyrs. He was chosen pope after the death of Sergius II in 847, and governed the Church eight years, three months, and some days.
HE MADE IT HIS FIRST CARE TO REPAIR THE CHURCH
The Saracens from Calabria had lately plundered St Peter's church on the Vatican, and were still hovering about Rome. Leo made it his first care to repair the ornamental part of this church, especially the Confession or burying-place of St Peter with the altar which stood upon it.
To prevent a second plundering of that holy place, he, with the approbation and liberal contributions of the emperor Lothaire, enclosed it and the whole Vatican Hill with a wall, and built there a new rione or quarter of the city, which from him is called Leonina. He rebuilt or repaired the walls of the city, fortified with fifteen towers.
THE BATTLE
Whilst he was putting Rome in a posture of defence, the Saracens marched towards Porto in order to plunder that town. The Neapolitans sent an army to the assistance of the Romans: the pope met these troops at Ostia, gave them his blessing, and all the soldiers received the holy communion at his hands. After the pope’s departure, a bloody battle ensued, and the Saracens were all slain, taken, or dispersed.
The good pope considered the sins of the people as the chief source of public disasters; and being inflamed with a holy zeal he most vigorously exerted his authority for the reformation of manners and of the discipline of the Church.
THE COUNCIL AT ROME
For this purpose he held at Rome a council of sixty-seven bishops; and among other instances, he deposed and excommunicated Anastasius, cardinal priest of St Marcellus’s church, because he had neglected to reside in his parish. He received honourably Ethelwolph king of England, who, in 854, made a pilgrimage to Rome.
HE EXTINGUISHED A GREAT FIRE IN THE CITY BY MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
Pope Leo directed to all bishops and pastors a homily on the Pastoral Care, published by Labbe from the Vatican manuscripts, and also extant in the Roman Pontifical. In it all the chief functions of the pastoral charge are regulated, and every duty enforced with no less learning than piety.
Among other miracles performed by this holy pope it is recorded that by the sign of the cross he extinguished a great fire in the city, which threatened the church of the prince of the apostles.
HIS HOLY DEATH
He died on July 17, 855, and Bennet III [Benedict III], priest of the church of St Calixtus, was immediately chosen pope in his room.
He with many tears begged that so formidable a burden might not be laid on his shoulders, but could not prevail. Anastasius the deposed priest set up for pope, and procured the protection of the emperor Lewis II; but the steady unanimity of the people in the election of Bennet III overcame this opposition and he was consecrated on September 1 in the same year, 855, as is related by Anastasius, who was then living, and shortly after (before the year 870) Bibliothecarian of the church of Rome.
Source: Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Leo 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.
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