This week, we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Pius X, the patron saint of our school.

St Pius the tenth was born in Riese, Italy, in 1835 and was given the name Giuseppe Sarto. He came from a large, poor family who made big sacrifices so that he could get an education and study to become a priest. At the age of 23 he became a priest. As a priest, he was very kind and generous, and would often give his possessions away to help other people, even though he needed them himself.

He was always very concerned about justice, and wanted to help look after the poor and oppressed. Above all, he wanted peace in this world. Later in his life, he was made a Bishop, then a Cardinal, and then finally he was elected Pope. Pope Pius the tenth is remembered for his saying that the main aim of the Church should be “to restore all things in Christ”. He was made a Saint in 1954 and is now known to all as St Pius the tenth.

I encourage you to pray this prayer as a family in the coming days:

God, you filled Pope Saint Pius X with wisdom and strength to spread your news to all people and to protect the Catholic faith. Help us to follow his teaching and example so that one day, we may rejoice in heaven with you and all the saints. We ask this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever,

Amen