Pope from August 4, 1903 - August 20, 1914
Lived: June 2, 1835 - August 20, 1914
Who was this guy before he was pope?
Giuseppe Sarto was one of eight children born to Giambattista and Margherita Sarto on June 2, 1835. He came from a small village and a poor family, but was a bright student with a pious heart from his earliest days. He attended seminary in Padua -- focusing on Scripture, the Church Fathers, and scholastic philosophy -- and was ordained in 1858. He became a pastor 10 years later, canon of the cathedral and diocesan administrator in 1875, and finally a bishop in 1884. Recognized by Pope Leo XIII for being a solid bishop and faithful son of the Church, Giuseppe was made Cardinal Archbishop of Venice in 1893.
Give me the scoop on Pius X.
Pope St. Pius X was elected during the summer of 1903, handling the choice with great humility. Though initially unwilling, Pius accepted the decision and took his name to honor both Bl. Pius IX and St. Pius V, two popes who had suffered and served the Body of Christ well. Pius X often said, “I was born poor, I have lived poor, and I wish to die poor,” and was a uniquely pastoral pontiff because he’d been a parish priest for so much of his early career. As a result, he encouraged clergy to not preach with lofty language, but in simple, clear terms, and to care for the salvation of souls above all else. Sound familiar?
Pius X fought vigorously against modernism, the belief that Catholic teaching ought to be upgraded and meshed with recent philosophies. He beatified John Bosco in 1908, Joan of Arc in 1909, and John Eudes in 1909, as well. Several miracles occurred in Pius’ presence during his earthly life -- including a paralyzed child beginning to move around while the pope was holding him -- and his cause for canonization was opened soon after his death in 1914. Pius was made “Venerable” in 1943, was beatified in 1951, and finally canonized in 1954, all by Pope Pius XII.
Lived: June 2, 1835 - August 20, 1914
Birth name: Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto
Giuseppe Sarto was one of eight children born to Giambattista and Margherita Sarto on June 2, 1835. He came from a small village and a poor family, but was a bright student with a pious heart from his earliest days. He attended seminary in Padua -- focusing on Scripture, the Church Fathers, and scholastic philosophy -- and was ordained in 1858. He became a pastor 10 years later, canon of the cathedral and diocesan administrator in 1875, and finally a bishop in 1884. Recognized by Pope Leo XIII for being a solid bishop and faithful son of the Church, Giuseppe was made Cardinal Archbishop of Venice in 1893.
Give me the scoop on Pius X.
Pope St. Pius X was elected during the summer of 1903, handling the choice with great humility. Though initially unwilling, Pius accepted the decision and took his name to honor both Bl. Pius IX and St. Pius V, two popes who had suffered and served the Body of Christ well. Pius X often said, “I was born poor, I have lived poor, and I wish to die poor,” and was a uniquely pastoral pontiff because he’d been a parish priest for so much of his early career. As a result, he encouraged clergy to not preach with lofty language, but in simple, clear terms, and to care for the salvation of souls above all else. Sound familiar?
Pius X fought vigorously against modernism, the belief that Catholic teaching ought to be upgraded and meshed with recent philosophies. He beatified John Bosco in 1908, Joan of Arc in 1909, and John Eudes in 1909, as well. Several miracles occurred in Pius’ presence during his earthly life -- including a paralyzed child beginning to move around while the pope was holding him -- and his cause for canonization was opened soon after his death in 1914. Pius was made “Venerable” in 1943, was beatified in 1951, and finally canonized in 1954, all by Pope Pius XII.
“I was born poor, I have lived poor, and I wish to die poor."
What was he known for?
It’s perhaps thanks to St. Pius X that daily Communion is a normal occurrence these days. In a time when most Catholics received the Eucharist just three or four times a year, one of Pius’ best known reforms was encouraging the laity, and most especially children, to receive frequently (and even daily). The decree Quam singulari in 1910 allowed for children as young as 7 to receive First Communion, and he pulled from the Council of Trent in noting that the Eucharist is “the antidote whereby we may be freed from daily faults and be preserved from mortal sins.” This Pope of the Blessed Sacrament, as he was often called, is also known to have said, “Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven.” If anyone was wondering.
Fun Fact: With St. Pius X’s canonization, he became just the third pope in the previous 560 years to be named a saint. St. Pius V (1712) and St. Celestine V (1294) were the other two.
What else was going on in the world at the time?
Just before Pius X’s death in 1914, World War I broke out in Europe.
Coming tomorrow...Pope Benedict XV
John, E. (1964). The Popes: A concise biographical history. New York: Hawthorn Books.
It’s perhaps thanks to St. Pius X that daily Communion is a normal occurrence these days. In a time when most Catholics received the Eucharist just three or four times a year, one of Pius’ best known reforms was encouraging the laity, and most especially children, to receive frequently (and even daily). The decree Quam singulari in 1910 allowed for children as young as 7 to receive First Communion, and he pulled from the Council of Trent in noting that the Eucharist is “the antidote whereby we may be freed from daily faults and be preserved from mortal sins.” This Pope of the Blessed Sacrament, as he was often called, is also known to have said, “Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven.” If anyone was wondering.
Fun Fact: With St. Pius X’s canonization, he became just the third pope in the previous 560 years to be named a saint. St. Pius V (1712) and St. Celestine V (1294) were the other two.
What else was going on in the world at the time?
Just before Pius X’s death in 1914, World War I broke out in Europe.
Coming tomorrow...Pope Benedict XV
SOURCES (and further reading)
John, E. (1964). The Popes: A concise biographical history. New York: Hawthorn Books.
Pope St. Pius X: The Great Reformer - http://www.crisismagazine.com/2013/pope-st-pius-x-the-great-reformer
Pope Pius X - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Pius_X
Saint Pius X - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-pius-x/
P.S. Only NINE popes left! You're almost there!