Novena to St. Pius X - Day 3
Model of The Priesthood
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.
Model of The Priesthood
Reflection
According to Saint Pius X, a noble and worthy priesthood was to be one of the means toward restoring all things in Christ, which was the aim of his pontificate. He said: "The priest is the representative of Christ on earth. He must think the thoughts of Christ and speak His words. He must be tender as Christ was tender, pure and holy like his Lord ; he must shine like a star in the world ... In order that Christ may be formed in the faithful, He must first be formed in the priest . . . Such an example will have greater power to move hearts and gain them than words or sermons, howÂever sublime . . . A holy priest makes holy people; a priest who is not holy, is not only useless bet harmful to the world."
"Let chastity, therefore, ever flourish am ng you in unblemished honor; that choicest ornament of our order, in whose beauty as the priest is made like to the angels, so is he, too, more venerable in the yes of the Christian people, and richer in holy fruits . . "Sanctity alone makes us what our diÂvine ·vocation requires us to be: Men cruciÂfied to the world, and for whom the world itself is crucified; men walking in the newÂness of life, who, as St. Paul admonishes should show themselves as the ministers of God '.in labors, in watchings, in fastings, in chastity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost in charity unfeigned, in the word of truth' (2 Cor. 6.5) ; whose thoughts are fixed only on heavenly things, and who strive by all means to lead others thither ... "
+ St. Pius X, Aug. 4, 1908.
Prayer
Saint Pius, model of Christ-like virÂtues and model of the priestly life, ask the Lord of the harvest to send zealous laborers into His vineyard. Send to the Church, through your intercession, many and worthy priests, who, reflecting the zeal of the Divine Heart of Jesus, will carry out their priestly duties faithfully for the honor of God and the salvation of souls. Pray to the Immaculate Virgin Mary, whom you loved so tenderly, to increase the number of those who share in the Holy Priesthood of her Son and her co-workers with Him, that through apostolic zeal and holiness of life, they may carry out the mission of Jesus Christ through the world. Pray for truly holy priests, so that people may always see in them "Other Christs."
Saint Pius, glorious Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth, and now gloriously reigning with the Eternal High Priest in His Kingdom, be pleased to be the advocate and protector of our Holy Father, whom God has placed on the throne of Peter. In the midst of the wickedness of our times, make him mild in hostile attacks, strong in the defense of the faith, and gentle and watchful in the pastoral office. Beg the· Holy Spirit to enlighten the Vicar of Christ and to strengthen him in his sorrows and in his universal cares, so that the Church may gather all people around God's altar of life and salvation to invoke Him in peace forÂever. Amen.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.
Saint Pius, model of the priesthood, pray for us.