Pope St. Pius X passed through the ecclesiastical cursus honorum, step by step, bringing a wealth of pastoral experience to his papacy as few other popes ever could claim.

Pope St. Pius X: The Great Reformer

by Joseph F. X. Sladky

When most Catholics hear the name of Pope St. Pius X, they think of the great saint who pulverized modernism, that “synthesis of all heresies” in the early twentieth century. Many are also aware of his Eucharistic reforms, which promoted frequent communion and communion for young children. Some may also be aware of his conflict with the anti-clerical French State, which led to the Law of Separation and the subsequent material impoverishment of the French Church. Fewer are aware that Pius X, in his short eleven year reign, ranks as one of the greatest reforming popes in history. These reforms which he initiated were important, timely, and needed. Pius X contributed to reforms in papal elections, seminary life, Eucharistic practice, sacred music, biblical studies, the breviary, catechesis, the organization of the Roman Curia, and Canon Law. Many of these reforms arose from needs which he saw in his pastoral work as curate, pastor, canon, spiritual director at the seminary, diocesan chancellor, bishop, metropolitan, cardinal, and pope.

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