Daily Saints - February 27

Leander was born into an aristocratic family in Cartagena, Spain. Saint Isidore, Saint Fuligencius and Saint Florentine were his siblings. Leander was the eldest of five children.

At a very young age, the saint adopted monastic life. He spent many years in the monastery, earning higher degrees and a profound knowledge about scriptures as well. These factors made him head of the church in Seville. However, this new position did not bring in any difference in the life of the saint.
His desire for solitude was increasing. During that time, Spain was under the control of the Visigoths. These non-Catholics went about spreading their faith wherever they were.

When Leander became bishop of Spain, the country was already under the influence of the Visigoths for over a century and he was deeply saddened by this. However, through prayers and hard work, the saint was able to bring the nation back to Catholic faith and he acted as an important instrument for this purpose.

King Leovigild expelled Leonard from the country on the grounds that he converted Hermongild, the eldest son of King. In the following year, the king executed his eldest son for refusing to receive communion from the incumbent Aryan bishop.

The king became critically ill later on under deep remorse and he called the saint back to the country as he lost hope of a recovery. The king entrusted the saint with the task of leading one of his sons to a life of faith who eventually became a Catholic. Later whole nation of Visigoths became Catholics. St. Leander was equally zealous for the revival and for the promotion of the Christian virtues.
Many martyrs and saints later emerged from the seeds of encouragement and enthusiasm he sowed. St. Leander died on 27 February 596, according to the inscription on his tomb.

Other saints today
1. John of Gors
2. Gabriel of Assisi
3. Germier in Lyons
4. Julian and Chronion of Alexandria
5. Abundius, Alexander, Antigonus, and Fortunatus.

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