August 21 + Saint Pope Pius X

Pope Pius X, born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, became head of the Catholic Church at age 68 from August 1903 to his death in 1914. He is highly regarded as one of the 20th century’s greatest popes. He is well known and loved for vigorously opposing modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, promoting traditional devotional practices and orthodox theology. He directed the production of the 1917 Code of Canon Law, the first comprehensive and systemic work of its kind.

The second of 10 children in a poor Italian family and ever mindful of his humble origin, Pius X stated, “I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor.”

Pius X was devoted to the Marian title of Our Lady of Confidence; while his papal encyclical Ad diem illum took on a sense of renewal that was reflected to his motto of his Pontificate. He was the only Pontiff to favor the use of the vernacular language in teaching catechesis and is best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children. In addition, he strongly defended the Catholic faith against indifferentism and relativism. Like his predecessors, he promoted Thomism as the principal philosophical method to be taught in Catholic institutions. As Pontiff, he vehemently opposed modernism and various nineteenth-century philosophies, which he viewed as an import of secular errors incompatible with Catholic dogma.

In 1905, when France renounced its agreement with the Holy See and threatened confiscation of Church property if governmental control of Church affairs were not granted, Pius X courageously rejected the demand.

While he did not author a famous social encyclical as his predecessor had done, he denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on the plantations of Peru, sent a relief commission to Messina after an earthquake, and sheltered refugees at his own expense.

On the 11th anniversary of his election as pope, Europe was plunged into World War I. Pius had foreseen it, but it killed him. “This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor children from this ghastly scourge.” He died a few weeks after the war began.

During his Pontificate, many famed Marian images were granted a canonical coronation, namely the Our Lady of Aparecida, Our Lady of the Pillar, Our Lady of the Cape, Our Lady of Chiquinquira of Colombia, Our Lady of the Lake of Mexico, Our Lady of La Naval de Manila, Virgin of Help of Venezuela, Our Lady of Carmel of New York, and the Immaculate Conception within the Chapel of the Choir inside Saint Peter's Basilica were granted its prestigious honors.

After his death, devotion followed his reputation of piety and holiness. He was beatified in 1951 and was canonized in 1954. The Traditionalist Catholic Priestly Society of Saint Pius X is named in his honor.