Today’s Readings – Saint Pius X, Pope

The future Pope Pius X was born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto at Riese, near Venice, on 2 June, 1835. He was the second of 10 children in a poor family, his father being the village postman.

On 18 September, 1858, Giuseppe Sarto was ordained priest and became curate at Tombolo. While there, the young priest deepened his knowledge of theology by carrying out most of the functions of his parish pastor, who was quite ill. In 1867, he was named Archpriest of Salzano. He became popular with his people when he worked to help the sick during a cholera plague that swept northern Italy in the early 1870s.


In 1875, he was made Chancellor of the Diocese of Treviso. In 1878, Bishop Zanelli died, leaving the bishopric vacant. In 1879, Sarto was elected as Vice-Capitular to take responsibility for t … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor

Bernard was born about 1090 at Fontaines, near Dijon, in France, the third son of Tescelin Sorrel, a Burgundian nobleman. He was educated at Chatillon-sur-Seine. As a young man he became known for his charm, wit, learning, and eloquence. At the age of 22, with 31 companions including some … Continue