By: Cameron Wallace
On Nov. 8, 2018, the mass for the Feast of Saint Leo the Great was held on University Campus at Saint Leo Abbey. Saint Leo the Great, also known as Pope Leo the first, was a fifth- century Roman aristocrat who was considered to be “undoubtedly one of the most important in the Church’s history.”
The service started at 10 a.m. and lasted for just longer than one hour. When asked about the service, Fr. Kyle Smith stated that the actual feast day for Saint Leo the Great is Nov. 10, but to encourage participation from staff, faculty, administration and the students, it was moved to Nov. 8.
When asked about potential attendance Kyle said that he didn’t have an exact number to expect, but they had printed “roughly 100 programs” so Campus Ministry expected attendance would be around 100 people.
The homily of the service was based on the legacy of Saint Leo the Great and how we all as students of Saint Leo University can strive to be life changers and advocates in our various communities just as he was.
The service was well attended, not only by members of the Saint Leo Community but members from the surrounding city that hold the observance as sacred. Credit: Cameron Wallace
Near the end of the service, Saint Leo University president, Dr. Jeffrey Senese also gave a brief speech on the life and legacy of Saint Leo the Great and also encouraged students to be more like him in their daily lives.
The service was well attended by the wider Saint Leo Community, including faculty, staff and students, along with a number of guests from outside of the university. The service was also graced by many clergy members, including Saint Leo’s very own, Fr. Kyle Smith, who expressed that he was impressed by the attendance for the service when asked post service.
Attendees were able to commune with one another after the service, fostering a deeper sense of community. Credit: Cameron Wallace
While exiting the abbey, a number of students were asked how their experiences were at the service, and their responses were mostly similar, reporting that they enjoyed the service and thought it was a good opportunity.
When Campus Activities Board Assistant, Dana Powers-Young-Ramos, was asked her impression of the service and its observance as a whole Ramos stated, “It was a great service and a great opportunity for students to learn about who the school was named after.”
Ramos also went on to speak about her involvement in Campus Ministry, explaining her Roman Catholic background and the fact that she attends mass as often as she possibly can.
Light refreshments were provided after the service, giving the attendees the opportunity to commune one final time, sharing their thoughts with an emboldened connection to University Campus.
