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Pope Pius X
Lived 1835-1914
Christened Giuseppe (Joseph) MelchiorrePope 1903 - 1914
Beatified June 3, 1951 by Pope Pius XII
Canonized May 29, 1954 by Pope Pius XII
Feast Day: August 21“Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven.”
“We put great confidence in the Holy Rosary for the healing of evils which afflict our times."
Pope St. Pius X - sometimes referred to as the Pope of the Eucharist - was a crusader for the beauty and truth of the Church with the goal to "restore all things in Christ" (Eph 1:10). He was well known for his generosity and his gift of teaching, as well as the following reforms:- Clergy - From the time he was a pastor, Pius X worked to better educate and for the clergy members around him and subordinate to him (eventually even serving as a Canon at a seminary). This included reforming the seminaries and encouraging bishops worldwide to do the same when he became pope.
- Laity - He believed wholeheartedly that the evils of the world were linked to ignorance of God. He himself taught catechism classes at all stages of his ordained life including as pope in the Vatican. He wanted to make knowledge of the faith available to all in all languages.
- Holy Communion - The reform that earned him his alias. Pope Pius X changed the age requirement of first Holy Communion from 12-14 down to the age of reason (generally considered to be age 7). He also encouraged frequent reception of the Eucharist (a first) and shortened the Eucharistic fast for the sick.
- Liturgy - Pius X wrote about the role of music in the liturgy. He also had the Breviary (the prayer book for the Liturgy of Hours) revised and oversaw the creation of the Code of Canon Law.
Pius X fought staunchly against modernism which he believed was the poison of all heresies which would bring about the end of faith. He encouraged social action to care for all the poor and needy (he lamented the elaborate lifestyle required of the pope). He died a month after the start of World War I feeling guilty that he couldn't stop this conflict.Ways to celebrate him- Pray one of the hours in the Liturgy of the Hours
- Attend Mass and receive the Eucharist
- Listen to a podcast or homily to grow in faith