ST LEONTIUS, BISHOP OF FRÉJUS - 1 DECEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN DECEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 1st of December

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SAINT LEONTIUS, BISHOP OF FRÉJUS

Leontius, Bishop of Fréjus (Forojulium) in Provence, born at Nimes in Languedoc, was a brother of Bishop St Castor of Apt, whose memory the church celebrates on September 21. As bishop of Fréjus Leontius set an example of the loftiest virtues. It was he who ordained the hermit Saint Honoratus a priest and who persuaded him to settle in his diocese, namely on the island of Lérins. There Honoratus built the famous monastery, which he presided over until he was appointed Bishop of Arles. 

St Leontius was also one of the Gallic bishops with whom Popes Boniface I and Celestine I corresponded on important church matters. He died around the year 432 and is venerated on this day in the dioceses of Fréjus and Apt. He has often been confused with Leontius of Arles and other bishops of that name. What is striking is that of the many saints called Leontius only two, namely this St Leontius of Fréjus and the previous one, are mentioned in Butler's* works.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

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.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org