March 22

St. Lea

When they lived: St. Lea lived during the late 4th century and early 5th century, specifically from around 350 to 384 AD.

Where they lived: St. Lea was born and lived in Rome, which was a bustling center of culture, politics, and religion during her time.

Notable world events during the time of their life:

Fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD): St. Lea’s lifetime witnessed the decline and eventual fall of the Western Roman Empire. This event marked a significant turning point in European history, leading to the fragmentation of the Roman territory and the rise of various successor kingdoms.
Sack of Rome by the Visigoths (410 AD): Around 410 AD, Rome was captured and looted by the Visigoths, an event that shook the Roman world and had profound implications for the perception of the city’s invincibility.
Council of Constantinople (381 AD): The Second Ecumenical Council, held in Constantinople, affirmed key doctrines of Christianity.
Founding of the City of Venice (421 AD): The founding of Venice in 421 AD marked the beginning of a unique and influential city-state that would become a hub of trade, culture, and power in the Mediterranean region.
Life and Work of St. Augustine (354-430 AD): St. Augustine, a prominent theologian and philosopher, lived during a similar time as St. Lea.

Their patronage: St. Lea is known as the patron saint of widows and mothers who have lost children. Her life and devotion to her faith serve as an inspiration to those who have faced loss and adversity.

Early Life

St. Lea was born in Rome, Italy. All that is known of the female saint was gathered from her very close friend, Saint Jerome, a scholarly monk. St. Lea lived almost a low-key life, and only a few pieces of information can be gathered about her. After her short-lived marriage ended with the death of her husband, St. Lea put down all of the wealth and riches in her possession to pursue the work of the Lord. It was unusual—a wealthy widow preferring to live a simpler, less wealthy life. She got into the convent of consecrated virgins the city had, where, for many years to come, she would be honored as the convent’s prioress. Her name is believed to have been a derivation of the Hebrew female name Leah, which means weary,” or the Akkadian name, which means “ruler,” or still the Chaldean name, which means “mistress”.

Call to Dedication and Devotion

After she had joined the convent upon the death of her husband, St. Lea invested in supporting the convent house, which was run by Saint Mary, who would later grow, as many other people would, to be fond of her. She was dedicated to serving as a menial servant until years later, when she became a group’s superior. Regardless of how much wealth she owned, she was still well known to be humble, obedient, and of remarkable penance. In a note to St. Marcella, St. Jerome exhaustively speaks of St. Lea’s virtue when she died in the year 384. There, he’d noted that St. Lea was blessed and that following her remarkable work on earth while she was still alive, heaven was the sure end for her. St.Jerome did not fail to mention how much of a servant St. Lea was, selfless to the core, to see someone else have something they needed. Given the fact that she was so wealthy she could get a very high-class life, St. Jerome mentioned that she preferred to be dressed in rags, preferred to go hungry, cared less how old her hair was becoming, and cared less if she had even had something to eat for herself because someone around her needed more care than her.

Morals to be learned from the life of St. Lea include that irrespective of how much wealth one has, there should be in their hearts a place for humility, selflessness, and submission to authority. In addition to that, as St. Jerome mentioned at the closure of his letter to St. Mary, Christians shouldn’t be seeking Christ while at the same time seeking the pleasures of the world.

Legacy

The only known legacies of St. Lea at the moment are those of those whose lives she blessed during her existence. Her devotion and dedication to God’s sanctuary and people are also legacies left by this female saint. By living an honest, straightforward, and humble life, St. Lea has thought about and continues to teach people how not to value the place of material wealth over Christ’s purpose for life.

A plus to these is the honor she’s received from the convent of her residence, where she was named the convent’s prioress.

Death

St. Lea breathes her last breath in the year 383.

Feast Day

Every March 22nd, St. Lea’s feast day is celebrated.

Prayer to St. Lea

Lord, amid the things of this world, let us wholeheartedly be committed to heavenly things in imitation of the example of evangelical perfection You have given us in St. Lea. Amen.

Source:https://www.divine-redeemer-sisters.org/saint-of-the-day/march/22-st-lea-widow