April 22nd 6th century

Saint Leo of Sens

Bishop of Sens in the 6th century, Saint Leo participated in the Councils of Orléans and worked for the conversion of Melun through the intermediary of Saint Aspose. He defended the rights of his see before King Childebert and was buried in Sens, where his church became a place of miracles.

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    SAINT LEO, BISHOP OF SENS (541).

    Life 01 / 04

    Episcopacy and Evangelization

    Successor to Saint Paul in Sens, Leo participated in the councils of Orleans and entrusted the evangelization of Melun to Saint Aspose.

    Saint Leo, successor to Saint Paul in the episcopacy of the see of Sen s, a ttended various councils held in Gaul, notably the second council of Orleans , throu gh his vicar, and the third of the same city, in person. As the inhabitants of Melu n and its surroundings were not yet all converted, he won them to Jesus Christ by sending them Saint Asp ose. After a holy life and a no less holy death, he was buried in the church of Saint-Gervais and Saint-Protais, in a suburb of Sens. God performed numerous healings and other miracles through his intercession. For this reason, this church, which became a parish church, subsequently bore the name of Saint-Leo.

    Life 02 / 04

    Diplomacy and jurisdiction

    Leo intervenes with King Childebert to preserve the spiritual unity of his diocese in the face of the political divisions of the Frankish kingdoms.

    We have remaining from Saint Leo a letter addressed to King Childebert, begging him not to establish a bishop ric a t Melun, which depended on the Kingdom of Paris, while Sens—to which Melun was spiritually subject—depen ded on the Kingdom o f Burgundy. The prince yielded to Leo's solicitations.

    other 03 / 04

    Controversy with Saint Remigius

    The text recounts an episode of epistolary tension where Leo criticizes Saint Remigius of Reims regarding the ordination of an unworthy priest.

    Holiness does not exclude human weaknesses: thus it was that Saint Leo signed, along with two other bishops, a very uncharitable letter written to Saint Remigius of Reims, reproaching him for not having foreseen that a man named Cl audius , whom he had ordained a priest, would be a bad subject.

    Source 04 / 04

    Documentary sources

    References to the historical and liturgical works used to establish this biographical notice.

    Cf. Propre de Sens; D om Rivet, France littéraire, vol. III, and the France Pontificale.

    Official source Les Petits Bollandistes, by Mgr Paul GUÉRIN, chamberlain to His Holiness Pius IX.

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    The miracles of Saint Leo of Sens

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    Frequently asked questions about Saint Leo of Sens

    Who was Saint Leo of Sens?

    Bishop of Sens in the 6th century, Saint Leo participated in the Councils of Orléans and worked for the conversion of Melun through the intermediary of Saint Aspose. He defended the rights of his see before King Childebert and was buried in Sens, where his church became a place of miracles.

    What is Saint Leo of Sens the patron saint of?

    Patronage of Saint Leo of Sens: Sens (Saint-Léon parish).

    What is Saint Leo of Sens invoked for?

    Saint Leo of Sens is invoked for: healing.

    What miracles are attributed to Saint Leo of Sens?

    1 miracle are attributed to this saint, notably: Healing.

    Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Leo of Sens?

    Contemporaries include: Saint Remigius (Apostle of the Franks), Saint Antide of Besançon, Saint Eugene of Carthage and Saint Nicaise of Reims.

    When did Saint Leo of Sens die?

    Saint Leo of Sens died around 600.

    Annexes & related entities

    Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.

    Key Events

    1. Succeeds Saint Paul to the see of Sens
    2. Sends his vicar to the Second Council of Orléans
    3. Personally attended the Third Council of Orléans
    4. Sends Saint Aspose to convert the inhabitants of Melun
    5. Wrote to King Childebert to oppose the establishment of a bishopric in Melun
    6. Signs a letter of reproach addressed to Saint Remigius of Reims