Saint Pius X, Pope (1914 A.D.)

SAINT PIUS X
Pope and Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
The future pope and saint, Joseph Sarto was born in poverty in the northern Italian village of Riese in 1835. He was successively curate, parish priest, bishop of Mantua, patriarch of Venice and Pope. As Vicar of Christ (1903-14) he intrepidly defended the purity of Christian doctrine, his one aim being to restore all things in Christ. He returned sacred music to its rightful place in the liturgy; fostered Catholic popular action; directed a codification of Canon Law; urged in his Eucharistic Degrees early and daily Communion; and spent himself to sanctify the Catholic clergy. In his universal charity, Pius X considered it his mission "to have a care, not only for all the faithful, but for every soul for whom Christ died."

INTROIT Ps. 88:20-22I 
Have raised up a chosen man from My people; with My holy oil I have anointed him, that My hand may help him and My arm strengthen him.
Ps. 88:2. The mercies of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my tongue shall proclaim Your faithfulness.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT 
O God, you filled Saint Pius, the supreme pontiff, with the wisdom of heaven and the courage of the apostles in order that he might defend the Catholic faith and restore all things to Christ. May we follow his teaching and example and attain to our eternal reward. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Thess. 2:2-8 
Brethren: We had confidence in our God, to speak unto you the gospel of God in much carefulness. For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deceit. But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who proveth our hearts. For neither have we used at any time the speech of flattery, as you know: nor taken an occasion of covetousness (God is witness): Nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of others. Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the apostles of Christ: but we became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children: So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls: because you were become most dear unto us.

GRADUAL Ps. 39:10-11 
I have declared Your justice in the vast assembly, and behold, O Lord, as you know, I did not restrain my lips.
V. I have not hidden Your justice within my heart, but I have spoken about Your truth and Your salvation.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 22:5-6 
You prepare a banquet before me, you anoint my head with oil; my cup is overflowing. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 21:15-17 
At that time, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these?" He saith to him: "Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." He saith to him: "Feed my lambs." He saith to him again: "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me?" He saith to him: "yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." He saith to him: "Feed my lambs." He said to him the third time: "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me?" Peter was grieved because he had said to him the third time: "Lovest thou me?" And he said to him: "Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee." He said to him: "Feed my sheep."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 33:12 
Come, children, hear me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

SECRET  
O Lord, graciously accept our Sacrifice and grant that we may celebrate these divine mysteries with true devotion and receive them in perfect faith through the intercession of blessed Pope Pius. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 6:56-57 
My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood, abides in Me and I in him.

POSTCOMMUNION  
We have been strengthened by the food of Your heavenly table, o Lord our God. Make us strong in faith and unite us in love of You through the intercession of blessed Pope Pius. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Tomb of Pope Pius X, Basilica DI San Pietro (Photo credit: Wikipedia)