Novena to St. Pius X
from "A Novena to St. Pius X" by Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik
The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau chose St. Pius X as their patron saint and we have done the same for this newsletter and media project. Throughout his life, and particularly during his papacy, St. Pius X was a bold defender of the Church and her traditions; opposing modernist ideologies and promoting scholastic theology. Join us in praying this novena as we ask for St. Pius X’s intercession.
This novena comes from a booklet written by Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik in 1954.
Forward
This booklet is written to further devotion to one of the greatest of modern saints, Saint Pius X. Even in his lifetime he was called "II Santo" - the Saint, and Pope Pius XII justly calls him "The Providential Saint of Our Times."
In his address on the occasion of the canonization of Pius X, the Holy Father, Pope Pius XII, said: "We offer heartfelt thanks to God in His goodness for allowing Us to take part in this extraordinary event; all the more so since for perhaps the first time in the history of the Church, the formal canonization of a Pope is proclaimed by one who had the privilege of serving him in the Roman Curia. This day is blessed and memorable for Us, who count it among the happiest days of Our Pontificate, to which Providence has allotted so many sorrows and cares; and also for the entire Church, which gathered around Us in spirit, rejoices all together in a great thrill of religious feeling."
—Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, S.V.D.
A New Saint
A crowd of half a million assembled in St. Peter's square to witness the canonization ceremonies of Blessed Pius X, which began toward sunset on May 29, 1954 - the Marian Year - with the great papal procession from the Vatican to St. Peter's basilica. More than 500 members of the hierarchy were in the colorful line which preceded the Holy Father. Holding a lighted candle in his left hand and blessing the cheering crowd with his right, Pope Pius XII was borne in the canopied chair of state to the great center door of St. Peter's where he took his seat on the special throne erected there. After a few moments of silent prayer, he intoned the "Veni Creator," and all joined in singing this traditional hymn of the Church for divine guidance. Pope Pius XII then read the Canonization Formula.
"In honor of the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, for the exaltation of the Catholic Faith and the increase of the Christian Religion, by the authority of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and by Our own; after mature deliberation, ever imploring the divine assistance, and with the advice and counsel of Our Venerable Brothers of the Holy Roman Church, the Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops and Bishops, here present in Rome. WE DEÂCREE AND DEFINE AS SAINT AND INSCRIBE IN THE CATALOGUE OF THE SAINTS BLESSED PIUS X, POPE AND CONFESSOR, ordaining that his memory be celebrated with pious devotion each year on the anniversary of his death, the 20th of August. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Pius XII. Ad honorem sanctac.
May 29, 1954.