Pope St. Pius X: A Pastoral Pope
“Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven.” - Pope St. Pius X
Editor’s Note: The Corpus Christi Church referenced here is a Roman Catholic Church in full communion with the Vatican. The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) has been ruled by Pope Leo XIV to be in schism. However, that does not alter the feast day of Pope St. Pius X within the Roman Catholic rite.
At the back of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas, there is a stained glass window depicting Pope St. Pius X surrounded by a group of children around seven to eight years old in First Holy Communion outfits, with the Chalice and Blessed Host above the children and the Pope. Having attended the adjoining school and received my First Holy Communion at that parish, I learned about St. Pius’ deep love of the Eucharist and his desire for children to receive the Eucharist at a younger age as well as for all the faithful to receive it more frequently.
Passing by this stained glass window throughout my elementary and teen years, I remember the Pope’s steadiness, gentleness, and kindness with the children. In different moments of my adult life, I have recalled that stained glass window of a Pope who knew Christ through the Eucharist, and desired the faithful, particularly children, to encounter the Lord through Holy Communion.
I confess that beyond his reforms with Holy Communion, I know very little (or at least forgot all else that was taught in school!) about St. Pope Pius X. In learning more about him, I am moved by his pastoral heart - he was first and foremost a teacher of Christian Truth to all who came under his care.
A Pastoral Pope
Pope St. Pius X had humble beginnings as Giuseppe Sarto, the eldest of eight children in small Reise, Italy. Though poor, his parish priest arranged a scholarship for him to attend secondary school and eventually the seminary. Fr. Sarto was known for his intelligence, zeal, care of the poor, and work instructing the faithful in Christian Doctrine (EWTN, 2026). Throughout his priesthood, Fr. Sarto was forever a teacher in organizing and instructing catechesis for all - seminaries, the old, the young, and children - to grow deeper in the faith by understanding the Catholic Teaching in a language that could be accessible and understood.
Later as pope, he saw the world's evils and, in particular, Modernist philosophy influencing the spiritual lives of the Church, including both the clergy and laity. He believed that the evils of the world were “traceable to ignorance of God” (EWTN, 2026) and wanted to bring the faithful back to living out the Gospel message of truth, goodness, and mercy. The heart of his pontificate was “to restore all things in Christ” in promoting the reorganization of seminaries to better train priests and catechesis for the laity (Eph 1:10). He even held catechism lessons in the Vatican courtyards (EWTN, 2026).
PopePius also reaffirmed prayer and action - calling that “society would not be Christianized by prayer alone” (EWTN, 2026). He frequently pointed to the lives of the Apostles and saints who lived out the faith through both prayer and action. He called the Church to be bold in being a Church of both prayer and action.
Pope St. Pius X died at the start of World War I on August 20, 1914. He is known for his gentleness and kindness and as “Pope of the Eucharist” (EWTN, 2026). He teaches us Catholic women that action comes from prayer and greater devotion grows from deeper faith and spiritual maturity.
Recalling that six years ago frequent Communion was not possible for all due to COVID restrictions, let us receive Communion today, asking for the Lord to restore all things to Himself and thanking a Pope who understood our deep need to receive our Lord often to sustain us while on this earth.
Let us continue to learn about our faith and to live the Gospel message in a society that is desperate for truth, goodness, and mercy. St. Pope St. Pius X, pray for us.
Reference: Lives of the Saints. St. Pius X, Pope. EWTN. 2026. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/saint-pius-x-pope-5771.
Alexandra (Alex) Harrel resides in Irving, Texas. She is a new student affairs professional within the world of higher education. In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite prayer is Hail, Holy Queen. You can follow her on Instagram at @2012alexandra.