Saint Pius X, Pope, Memorial August 21st
Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven. — Pope Saint Pius X
History:
St. Pius X was born June2, 1835
in Venice. His parents were Giovanni Battista Sarto and Margarita
(née Sanson); the former, a postman, died in 1852,
but Margarita lived to see her son a cardinal. He was ordained
in 1858, and for nine years was chaplain at Tombolo, having to
assume most of the functions of parish priest, as the pastor
was old and an invalid. He sought to prefect his knowledge of
theology by assiduously studying Saint Thomas and canon law;
at the same time he established a night school for adult students,
and devoted himself of the ministry of preaching in other towns
to which he was called. Became Pope in 1903.
In his first Encyclical, wishing
to develop his program to some extent, he said that the motto
of his pontificate would be “instaurare omnia in Christo“[Restore
all things to Christ] from Ephesians 1:10).
He encouraged daily Holy Communion and that the first Communion
of children should not be deferred too long after they had reached
the age of discretion. It was by his desire that the Eucharistic
Congress of 1905 was held at Rome, while he enhanced the solemnity
of subsequent Eucharistic congresses by sending to them cardinal
legates.
He was a promoter of sacred music; as pope, he published, November
22, 1903, a Motu Proprio on sacred music in churches, and at
the same time ordered the authentic Gregorian Chant to be used
everywhere, while he caused the choir books to be printed with
the Vatican font of type under the supervision of a special commission.
In the Encyclical “Acerbo nimis” (April 15,
1905) he treated of the necessity of catechismal instruction,
not only for children, but also for adults, giving detailed rules,
especially in relation to suitable schools for the religious
instruction of students of the public schools, and even of the
universities. He caused a new catechism to be published for the
Diocese of Rome.
As bishop, his chief care had
been for the formation of the clergy, and in harmony with this
purpose, an Encyclical to the Italian episcopate (July 28, 1906)
enjoined the greatest caution in the ordination of priests, calling
the attention of the bishops to the fact that there was frequently
manifested among the younger clergy a spirit of independence
that was a menace to ecclesiastical discipline.
The pope has at heart above all
things the purity of the faith. On various occasions, as in the
Encyclical regarding the centenary of Saint Gregory the Great,
Pius X had pointed out the dangers of certain new theological
methods, which, based upon Agnosticism and upon Immanentism,
necessarily divest the doctrine of the faith of its teachings
of objective, absolute, and immutable truth, and all the more,
when those methods are associated with subversive criticism of
the Holy Scriptures and of the origins of Christianity. Wherefore,
in 1907, he caused the publication of the Decree “Lamentabili”
(called also the Syllabus of Pius X), in which sixty-five propositions
are condemned. The greater number of these propositions concern
the Holy Scriptures, their inspiration, and the doctrine of Jesus
and of the Apostles, while others relate to dogma, the sacraments,
and the primacy of the Bishop of Rome. Soon after that, on September
8 , 1907, there appeared the famous Encyclical “Pascendi“,
which expounds and condemns the system of Modernism.
He died in 1914. He was canonized in 1954 by Pius XII.
(Principal
source – Catholic Encyclopedia – 1913 edition )
Collect:
O God, who to safeguard the Catholic faith
and to restore all things in Christ,
filled Pope Saint Pius the Tenth
with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fortitude,
graciously grant
that, following his teaching and example,
we may gain an eternal prize.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.
First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:2b-8
Though
we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi,
as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the
gospel of God in the face of great opposition. For our appeal
does not spring from error or uncleanness, nor is it made with
guile; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted
with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but to please
God who tests our hearts. For we never used either words of flattery,
as you know, or a cloak for greed, as God is witness; nor did
we seek glory from men, whether from you or from others, though
we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were
gentle among you, like a nurse taking care of her children. So,
being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share
with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves,
because you had become very dear to us.
Gospel Reading: John 21:15-17
When
they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon,
son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to
Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said
to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time He said to him,
“Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him,
“Yes, Lord; you know that I love You.” He said to him,
“Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon,
son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because
He said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And
he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that
I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Prayer
to St. Pius X
Glorious Pope of the Eucharist,
Saint Pius X, you sought “to restore all things in Christ.”
Obtain for me a true love of Jesus so that I may live only for
Him. Help me to acquire a lively fervor and a sincere will to
strive for sanctity of life, and that I may avail myself of the
riches of the Holy Eucharist in sacrifice and sacrament. By your
love for Mary, mother and queen of all, inflame my heart with
tender devotion to her.
Blessed model of the priesthood, obtain for us holy, dedicated
priests, and increase vocations to the religious life. Dispel
confusion and hatred and anxiety, and incline our hearts to peace
and concord. so that all nations will place themselves under
the sweet reign of Christ. Amen.
Saint Pius X, pray for me
BENEDICT XVI, GENERAL AUDIENCE, Wednesday, 18 August 2010, Saint Pius the Tenth
