• August 21st - Pope Saint Pius X

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Mon Aug 20 10:08:15 2018
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    August 21st - Pope Saint Pius X
    (1835-1914)

    =E2=80=9CHoly Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven.=E2=80=9D

    Pope Saint Pius X, Confessor, reformer, and the 259th pope. Referred
    to as the =E2=80=9CPope of the Blessed Sacrament,=E2=80=9D Pope Pius X is p= erhaps
    remembered best for his encouragement of frequent reception of the
    Holy Eucharist, especially for children. He urged all Catholics to
    look to Our Blessed Mother, and to =E2=80=9CRestore all things in Christ=E2= =80=9D for
    the betterment of personal lives and of the world--a world plunged
    into war during his papacy. Throughout his life, Pope Pius X never
    forgot his humble beginnings, and lived a life of poverty, service,
    and humility. His last will and testament proclaims this sentiment: "I
    was born poor, I have lived in poverty, and I wish to die poor."

    A contemporary of this great holy man, Baron von Pastor, stated of
    him: "He was one of those chosen few men whose personality is
    irresistible. Everyone was moved by his simplicity and his angelic
    kindness. Yet it was something more that carried him into all hearts:
    and that 'something' is best defined by saying that all who were ever
    admitted to his presence had a deep conviction of being face to face
    with a saint.=E2=80=9D

    Born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto in the small village of Reise, Venetia,
    the future pope experienced poverty and demonstrated humility from an
    early age. Giuseppe's father was the town postman and with his moth=
    er,
    the couple struggled to financially support ten children. Despite
    their poverty, both parents highly valued education, and rather than
    working, Giuseppe walked six kilometers to school each day to receive
    his education.

    As a child, Giuseppe demonstrated aptitude for learning and devotion
    to the Lord. He studied Latin with a local priest, and through his
    hard work, secured himself a scholarship to attend Seminary in
    Padua--something his family could not have afforded. Ordained at the
    age of twenty-three, he served as curate, and then labored for 17
    years as a parish priest. As a priest, Giuseppe 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. Giuseppe was elected bishop of Mantua,
    and in 1892 was advanced to Cardinal, and appointed to the
    metropolitan see of Venice with the honorary title of Patriarch. Noted
    for his keen intelligence, diligent work, and great piety, he was
    sought out for prestigious positions and advanced rapidly. Through all
    of his work, Giuseppe obediently answered the call of the Lord, never
    seeking election or promotion, but accepting that which was thrust
    upon him.

    Giuseppe was elected Pope in 1903, taking the name Pius X, described
    as "a man of God who knew the unhappiness of the world and the
    hardships of life, and in the greatness of his heart wanted to comfort everybody." The primary goal and aim of his papacy was to =E2=80=9CRenew al=
    l
    things in Christ=E2=80=9D ("instaurare omnia in Christo"). He preached
    frequent reception of Holy Eucharist, a restoration of church
    music--including Gregorian Chant, encouraged daily Bible reading and
    renewal and reform of institutions to teach Biblical matters,
    reorganized the Roman ecclesiastical offices, and codified Canon
    Law--all in attempts to draw the faithful to Christ and renew the
    Church in His presence.

    As Pope and spiritual director of the Church on earth, he displayed
    untiring self-sacrifice and great energy. Above all things, he
    defended the purity of Christian doctrine. He realized to the full the
    value of the liturgy as the prayer of the Church and the solid basis
    that it furnishes for the devotion of Christian people. He promoted
    sacred music so that the congregation may better participate in holy
    prayer, and had choir books printed for the congregation. Above all,
    his holiness shone forth conspicuously. From Pius X we learn again
    that "the folly of the Cross", simplicity of life, and humility of
    heart are still the highest wisdom and the indispensable conditions of
    a perfect Christian life, for they are the very source of all
    apostolic fruitfulness.

    On the 11th anniversary of his election as pope, Europe was thrust
    into the first World War. Taking ill with bronchitis, he wrote, =E2=80=9CTh=
    is
    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.=E2=80=9D Pope
    Saint Pius X died a few days later, on August 20, 1914. His sanctity
    and power to work miracles had already been recognized. He was the
    first Pope canonized since Saint Pius V in 1672.


    Saint Quotes
    =E2=80=9CMy hope is in Christ, who strengthens the weakest by His Divine he= lp.
    I can do all in Him who strengthens me. His Power is infinite, and if
    I lean on him, it will be mine. His Wisdom is infinite, and if I look
    to Him for counsel, I shall not be deceived. His Goodness is infinite,
    and if my trust is stayed in Him, I shall not be abandoned.=E2=80=9D
    --Pope Saint Pius X

    =E2=80=9CLet the storm rage and the sky darken--not for that shall we be dismayed. If we trust as we should in Mary, we shall recognize in her,
    the Virgin Most Powerful =E2=80=9Cwho with virginal foot did crush the head=
    of
    the serpent.=E2=80=9D
    --Pope Saint Pius X


    <><><><>
    O most benevolent and most merciful
    Heart of Jesus,
    imprint in our hearts a perfect image
    of your great mercy,
    so that we may fulfil the commandment
    You gave us:
    "Be merciful as your Father is merciful".

    Mother of mercy, look upon so much misery,
    so many poor people,
    so many captives, so many prisoners,
    so many men and women
    who suffer persecution at the hands of their brothers and sisters,
    so many defenseless people
    so many afflicted souls, so many troubled hearts.

    Mother of mercy, open the eyes
    of your clemency and see our desolation.
    Open the ears of your goodness
    and hear our supplication.

    Most loving and most powerful advocate,
    show that You are truly the Mother of Mercy. Amen.
    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)