Champion For The Poor

Pope St. Pius X (1835-1914), 257th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Saint Pius X was born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto (1835-1914), was canonized in 1954, and was adored and abhorred during his brief 11-year papal reign from 1903-1914. As a pastoral pope, he promoted frequent Communion and spirituality for children and laypeople. As a reformer, he contributed to significant changes in papal elections, seminary life, Eucharistic practice, sacred music, Biblical studies, the breviary, catechesis, organization of the Roman Curia, and Canon Law. Many of the reforms he initiated arose from needs which he identified in his pastoral work as curate, pastor, canon, spiritual director at the seminary, diocesan chancellor, bishop, metropolitan, cardinal, and pope. Yet he also condemned many secular ideas that at the time were influencing Catholicism — for the better, many thought — such as trade unions and democratic decision-making. There’s no denying Pius X’s commitment to poverty, however. He chose to be buried in a simple tomb and wrote, “I was born poor, I have lived poor, and I wish to die poor.” In remembrance, do something today for the poor.