Thursday 21 August 2014

Centenary of the Death of Pope Saint Pius X

Pope Saint Pius X (1903-1914)
On 4th August, 1903, Giuseppe Sarto, Cardinal-Patriarch of Venice, was unexpectedly elected Pope by the College of Cardinals and took the name Pius X.  

Pope Pius X died 100 years ago on 20th August, 1914, shortly after the outbreak of World War One, at the age of 79.  Of renowned sanctity, his cult grew-up immediately after his death and his successor, Pope Pius XII, Canonised him in 1954.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.



An unusual photograph:
the portrait shewn at the top of this post in the process of being painted.
Pope Pius is depicted working at his desk.



Pope Pius walking in the Vatican.



Pope Pius walking through the Vatican.


Papal Mass being celebrated in the Sistine Chapel by Pope Pius X in 1908.
This Mass commemorated the Golden Jubilee of the Pope's Ordination.
The Pope is depicted here wearing a special form of cassock
used on Solemn Liturgical occasions which has a train.



A wonderful portrait of Pope Pius.



The mortal remains of Pope Pius lying-in-state August, 1914.



The scene in S' Peter's in 1954 during the Canonisation of Pius X.
The remains of Saint Pius are enclosed in a glass casket set before the High altar
shewn on the left of this photograph.