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LIFE OF ST.PIUS X - THE PATRON SAINT OF OUR MISSION
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Dear Friends,
This year we celebrate the Feast of our Mission patron, Pope St. Pius X on Saturday August 18 at St. Mary Magdalen church, 1241 S. corning St. Los Angeles. It is important for our mission to be familiar with the Spirit filled life of our patron saint, as he should be a motivating force behind our mission and ministry.
"To defend the Catholic faith and make all things new in Christ" was the task St. Pius X set for himself. His motto "To renew all things in Christ" was the guiding principle of his reign as pope.
Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto was (1835-1914) born as the second of 10 children in an Italian poor family. He was ordained in 1858 and appointed Bishop of Mantua in 1884. He endeared himself to his people by his gentleness and warmth as he went about renewing his diocese. Then years later he was named Cardinal and Patriarch of Venice, and in 1903 was chosen to be Pope. Joseph Sarto became Pius X at 68, one of the twentieth century’s greatest popes.
His was a time that called for strength in leadership in the Church and this humble saint was equal to the challenge. He was filled with "heavenly wisdom and apostolic courage” as we pray in the Mass. He met the needs of the Church and the needs of society. Primarily he turned to the spiritual needs of the Church and is remembered as the pope who encouraged frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children, and he urged that they receive this wonderful sacrament as early as possible.
Of great interest to us today is the personal initiative that he took and encouraged in liturgical matters. He initiated reforms of liturgical books, a revision of the text of psalms, and he encouraged active participation of the laity in the celebration of the Mass. It is known that he was convinced of the value of the vernacular in liturgy, but thought the time was not yet right for its use. Much of what he envisioned and encouraged is a reality for us today.
In the internal affairs of the Church he gave impetus to the codification of Church law. He took a strong stand against interference in the internal affairs of the Church by governments, especially France. He was concerned for the correct teaching of Catholic doctrine and the strong catechetical formation of youth. He encouraged the serious and critical study of the Scriptures.
The years of the pontificate of Pope St. Pius X were difficult, but he untiringly gave of himself "in the spirit of simplicity, poverty and courage, arousing the faithful to a Christian way of life...." His holiness shone forth conspicuously. From St. Pius X we learn simplicity of life and humility of heart as the highest wisdom and the indispensable conditions of a perfect Christian life.
His last will and testament bears the striking sentence: "I was born poor, I have lived in poverty, and I wish to die poor."
He was a gentle and sensitive shepherd after the model of Jesus the Good Shepherd. An historian wrote of him: "he was 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 everyone."
His last will and testament bears the striking sentence: "I was born poor, I have lived in poverty, and I wish to die poor."
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Message By Fr. Thomas Mulavanal (Aug 17, 2007)
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