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114.1
First Point
The
gentleness and wisdom of Saint Leo were admirable and won for him the
esteem and veneration of the infidels, even the most uncivilized. These
qualities of the saint had led the pope and the emperor to make use of him
in settling a dispute between two generals of the Roman Empire armies, a
mission which he concluded successfully. Later, when he became pope, the
emperor begged him to meet and plead with Attila, King of the Goths,
encamped before Rome and ready to besiege it, in order to get him to give
up his plan. The saint acquitted himself of this mission with so much
wisdom, eloquence, and success that this barbarian prince was led to
withdraw and leave Italy in peace.
Is it in this way, by your gentleness and your wisdom, that you
lead those entrusted to your care to give up bad habits and disorderly
conduct and to devote themselves to piety? These two means joined to
prayer are often more effective on souls than any other method you could
imagine.
114.2 Second Point
Saint
Leo's zeal for the strengthening of the Church and for the defeat of her
enemies and the heresies that arose in his time manifested itself in an
extraordinary manner. He was eminently successful in this, for, having
assembled several Councils, and especially the Fourth General Council, he
confirmed the faith of the entire Church in the mystery of the
Incarnation.
When we are called to an apostolic work, if we do not know how to
join zeal to action, all we do for our neighbor will have little effect.
In your work you should devote your effort to oppose the interior and
exterior enemies that would prevent the progress of your disciples in
piety, mainly their wayward companions and their own evil inclinations.
There is no means you should fail to use to prevent your students from
being corrupted by either one of these enemies.
Is this what you try especially to do in order to procure the good
of their souls? Often reflect that it is for this that God has
commissioned you.
114.3 Third Point
This
saint forbade religious to concern themselves with secular matters. Be
convinced that it is for you more than for any others that he issued this
prohibition.
First, because you scarcely have the time you need to devote to the
exercises that contribute to your own sanctification and to carry out
properly the duties of your ministry for the instruction f children, and
it would be shameful of you to spend any part of your time on matters
which don’t belong o you, for God obliges you to consecrate all your
time to him.
Second, exterior matters distract your mind a great deal and make
you incapable of applying yourself to the exercises that require your mind
to be fully occupied with God, because these exercises are aimed entirely
at his service and the care and guidance of souls in order to direct them
on the road to heaven.
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