Joseph Sarto was the son of a poor village shoemaker and the eldest of eight children. Two priests of the parish helped him through school because he wanted to become a priest. He was a very bright and hard worker at the Padua seminary.

After ordination, he was made an assistant to the pastor in a small Italian town in the mountains. All the people loved him because he was kind. His soul was on fire with the love of God, especially when he preached about the Blessed Sacrament.

Later, when he became Bishop of Mantua, he said, “I shall spare myself neither care nor labour nor earnest prayers for the salvation of souls. My hope is in Christ”.

Bishop Sarto was made a Cardinal and when Pope Leo XIII died in 1903, Cardinal Sarto was elected Pope and chose the name Pius X. His motto was “to restore all things in Christ, so that Christ may be in all”. He wanted this to come about through frequent Holy Communion. It was under his Papacy that children age age nine started receiving Holy Communion. He died on August 20, 1914, with the words, “All things in Christ”.

He lies incorrupt till date. 

Pope Pius X is called Pope of the Blessed Sacrament.

Happy feast day to all Pius. St. Pope Pius X, pray for us. Amen

Compiled by Elvira Kudiabor