Pius X

Patron ofFirst Communicants, Pilgrims

SituationsDefense of the Faith, First Communion

ProfessionsCatechists, Popes, Seminarians

Why this patronage

Saint Pius X is the patron of first communicants for the gift the faithful most remember him by: his 1910 decree Quam singulari lowered the age of First Communion to the “age of discretion,” about seven, so that children could receive the Eucharist as soon as they could tell the holy Bread from common bread — opening the altar rail to the little ones Christ said should come to Him. “The Pope of the Eucharist,” he also urged all the faithful to frequent and daily Communion. He is invoked as patron of pilgrims partly from his own humble origins and his motto Instaurare omnia in Christo — to restore all things in Christ, the journey of every pilgrim soul.

Life

Saint Pius X, born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto in 1835, served as Pope from 1903 to 1914 under the motto Instaurare omnia in Christo — to restore all things in Christ. He is the great reformer of Catholic liturgical life: his motu proprio Tra le sollecitudini declared Gregorian chant the supreme model of sacred music, he lowered the age of First Communion, and he encouraged the faithful to receive the Eucharist frequently. His encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis mounted a vigorous defense of Catholic doctrine against Modernist errors.

Prayer

Collect for the Feast of Saint Pius X (Collecta in Festo Sancti Pii X)

Deus, qui ad tuéndam cathólicam fidem

O God, who to defend the Catholic faith

et univérsa in Christo instauránda

and to restore all things in Christ,

beátum Pium Summum Pontíficem

didst fill the Supreme Pontiff, blessed Pius,

caelésti sapiéntia et apostólica fortitúdine replevísti:

with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fortitude:

concéde propítius;

mercifully grant

ut, eius institúta et exémpla sectántes,

that, by following his teachings and example,

praémia consequámur aetérna.

we may attain everlasting rewards.

Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum,

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son,

qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,

who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,

per ómnia saécula saeculórum. Amen.

world without end. Amen.