There are three popes in the 20th century that chose the name Pius - Pius X, Pius XI, and Pius XII. We celebrate Pius X on his feast day today. Born in the kingdom of Lombardy-Venice, which is now a part of Italy, he served as pope form 1903 to 1914, becoming Pope at the age of 68. He was always cognizant of his humble roots, being one of ten children born to a working class Italian family. He made a lot of significant contributions to the Church and to the papacy. He was a harsh critic of modernism and secularism. He focused on the Eucharist, emphasizing the frequent reception of the Eucharist for the faithful and the importance of the Eucharist for children. He changed the age in which children could receive the Eucharist from 12 to 7. He emphasized the importance of religious education and catechetical instruction. He also stressed the importance of Catholics making contributions to the public life and infusing the political sphere with the values of the Catholic faith. He is the patron saint of pilgrims and catechists, having been canonized in 1954 under Pope Pius XII.
Our psalm states today: Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will, that the man who places his trust in the Lord is just. It is so easy to go astray on our journey of faith, to be distracted by certain things in life, to not make the values of the faith the center of our lives. I see Pope Pius X as calling us back to the basics of the faith, to the Eucharist and to the liturgy, to the true teachings of the Church and to sound religious formation. May we present ourselves to the Lord each day in simplicity and humility, desiring to do his will.
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