August 21: Saint Pius X

In Memory of the Holy Saints of God:

Pope Saint Pius X

Giuseppe Sarto was born at Riese (Italy) in 1835 and died at Rome on 20 August 1914. After being bishop of Mantua and patriarch of Venice, he was elected pope in 1903. In pursuit of his motto, “to renew all things in Christ,” he initiated reforms of the liturgy and of canon law and took stern measures against “modernist” trends in theology. His efforts to avert world war were frustrated. He is remembered for his poverty and for his promotion of liturgical participation, especially of frequent communion, to which he admitted young children. - ICEL Roman Missal 1998

The Church commemorates this blessed Vicar of Christ every August 21st. Let's look on the prayers from the Extraordinary Form and the Ordinary Form and reflect on these prayers in union with the liturgical readings suggested for this memorial.

Ordinary Form, Roman Missal 2010:

O God, who to safeguard the Catholic faith
and to restore all things in Christ,
filled Pope Saint Pius the Tenth
with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fortitude,
graciously grant
that, following his teaching and example,
we may gain an eternal prize.

Through our Lord Jesus ChristExtraordinary Form, Roman Missal 1965 is as same as the Ordinary Form, with being his memorial celebrated every September 3.

"Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God; therefore, in accordance with his promise, the Lord gave him growth for the good of his people." (Entrance Antiphon). This was a great priest, a high priest of Jesus, his vicar on earth, successor of Peter. He was raised to the altars because of his love for the Holy Mass and for the safeguarding of the Church's unaltered doctrine and took measures about it. We thank God for filling him "with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fortitude," asking Him "that, following his teaching and example, we may gain an eternal prize." (Collect) Promoting the Faith everywhere, through the Gospel and the Eucharist and living it in our daily lives fulfills also our role as laity of the prophetic function.

As the blessed Pius the Tenth opened for younger children communion and recommended frequent communion, we are called to that, "we may celebrate these divine mysteries with sincere reverence and receive them in a spirit of faith." (Prayer Over the Offerings). Let us draw near to the Sacrament with such spirit of faith and reverence, kneeling before the King of kings. Celebrating the Holy Mass with love and constant devotion. And by the frequent receiving of Christ's Most Holy Body and Blood, "we may be made constant in the faith and be of one accord in your love." (Prayer After Communion)

The liturgical readings suggested for this day I would like to focus is on the Gospel of John, "Do you love me? Feed my lambs.": Jesus to Peter. We may also "feed" others with the Word of God, sharing with them the Eucharist, pointing out to the Lamb who is calling us, "Follow me."