Pope St. Pius X: (1835-1914)

by F.A. Forbes and Forbes F a (Frances Alice)

Book Overview

A fast-paced, fascinating life. From poor peasant to Pope. He condemned Modernism, allowed Communion at seven, reformed Church music & the Breviary, initiated a new code of Canon Law, etc., and set out "to restore all things in Christ". Impr. 172 pgs, PB

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0895553287
• ISBN13: 9780895553287
• Release Date: November 1992
• Publisher: Tan Books
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.49 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

The Preaching Pope

F.A. Forbes offers a faithful and interesting study with his 1987 revision of the 1918 originally published "Pope St. Pius X". This brief 125-page book is a quick read for the life and ministry of Giuseppe "Bepi" Sarto- Pope St. Pius X. The book also offers 9 black and white photos of Roman Catholic Pope Pius X's life from youth, to priest, to cardinal, to Pope. Written as a docu-novel Forbes related Sarto's life among his poor late 19th century northern Italian family. Born the oldest of eight children (page 1) in 1835, young Bepi was later educated in Padua and ordained priest in 1858. From early in his career Father Sarto was known for his preaching. "What he said was always simple, but it was full of teaching and went straight to the heart," (page 15). Young Father Sarto was popular among the parishes he served as he moved through ecclesiastical ranks. In 1884, he was appointed Bishop of Treviso, Italy. In 1893, Pope Leo XIII named Bishop Sarto cardinal of the Holy Roman Church. Preaching continued to dominate Cardinal Sarto's ministry and leadership. He exhorted his bishops and priests to "preach to the people plainly and simply on the eternal truths of faith and on the teachings of the Gospel" (page 41). Forbes says that the Cardinal mixed freely with people while insisting that his "clergy be tidy and...clean". After tearfully pleading against papal votes for him Cardinal Sarto was elected Pope Pius X in late in the evening of August 2, 1903. Of the many pastoral opportunities availing him through his 11-year pontificate perhaps the most challenging event was the 1905 French move to separate its government from the Roman Catholic Church. The Law of Separation completely disassociated Paris from the appointment of priests and bishops, suppressed annual tax revenue for the church, and reduced government clergy pensions by 25%. By 1907, the French government appropriated all remaining Church property in France. "Law after law was passed, making it more difficult for the priest to minister to the people" (page 74). Pius X's response was to order his clergy to serve the masses more diligently and love the people more completely. Today, the French Roman Catholic populace loves the Pope as much as ever, due in part to Pius X's pastoral guidance (page 75). The book concludes with reference to Portugal's (in 1911) and Mexico's (in 1913) moves to separate their governments from the Church and the emergence of World War 1 in Europe. Forbes says that Pope Pius X died in 1914 and was later canonized in 1954. His was an extraordinary life devoted to holiness and Church. Forbes speaks, as a layperson to lay people, about Roman Catholic episcopal appointing, the methods for papal election, and the nature and process for beatification and canonization. If you are unfamiliar with these procedures this small book will teach you. This study is recommendable.

Review from the Publisher

Reprint of a very popular biography of a brilliant, many-faceted yet humble man who became the much beloved St. Pius X (1903-1914). He was born in 1835 the second of 10 children in a poor peasant family. Always at the head of his class, his rise from parochial priest to head of the Universal Church is described here in a fast-paced manner which captures the heart of the man. Includes a number of stories of his more famous miracles, especially those performed while he was Pope. This delightful work, which contains 10 photos, captures the brilliant, forceful, hard-working, zealous, ardent holy man who became the first canonized Pope in 342 years, the Pope whom St. Malachy had prophetically described some 750 years before as "A Blazing Fire." Covers his fight against the improper interpretation of the separation of Church and State and his challenge to the Catholic World "to restore all things in Christ." Delightful! 125pp. PB. Imprimatur.