We all need to be accountable to someone. It brings out the best in us. People do not do well in situations where they are not accountable to anyone or anything. In fact, the absence of accountability inevitably leads to our spinning out of control.

As the Church expanded and entire nations in Europe became Catholic, there was a major need for accountability. There is also a major need for accountability now, and so we can learn from our ancestors in faith on how to hold ourselves and each other accountable.

Saint Leobinus did not want to be in a position of superiority over others. He wanted to live a quiet life as a hermit and monk. But his radical self-accountability meant his greatest impact would be in holding others accountable to truly live the Christian life.

Leobinus had become a monk at a young age. In the monastery, he enthusiastically held himself accountable to a life of strict discipline, prayer, and labor. He brought out a-better-version-of-himself, and was soon appointed the abbot of the monastery. By holding the monks under his leadership accountable to their disciplines, prayer, and labor, Leobinus made them better-versions-of-themselves each day, and the monastery flourished.

Before long, he was appointed Bishop of Chartres.

As a bishop, he focused on reforming the clergy, holding them accountable to higher moral standards, especially in regard to caring for the poor. Soon, his flock was flourishing with peace and Christian works of mercy. Saint Leobinus had made Chartres a-better-version-of-itself by holding its people accountable to living the Christian life.

Accountability does not stifle us; it brings out the best in us. Accountability isn't an invitation to judgment, but a way to lovingly reveal how we need to improve.

If we genuinely want to be the-best-version-of-ourselves, it is critical to find the courage to be accountable to ourselves and others. Then, we will see our strengths and weaknesses reflected back to us clearly, and we’ll be able to improve them.

Patron Saint of: Wine Merchants, Innkeepers, Against Dropsy, Against Rheumatism, and Against Edema.

Feast Day: March 14

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Placido Riccardi