Novena to St. Pius X - Day 8
Father of the Suffering
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.
Father of the Suffering
Reflection
Pius X was most wonderfully tender and gentle with those in sorrow or suffering. As a parish priest, he had been the comÂfort of his people, consoling the sorrowful, nursing the sick, helping the needy. It was said of him that he had "the greatest heart of any man alive." The very sight of sufÂfering moved him even to tears ; there was no trouble of body or soul in the world that failed to awaken his sympathy. His comÂpassion together with his personal holiness made his prayers most powerful for healing. Especially after his death he proved himÂself the tender father of the suffering. Many favors and cures have been granted through his intercession.
In his address at the canonization of St. Pius X, the Holy Father, Pope Pius XII, expressed the fatherly compassion and care which he had for the flock entrusted to him in these words:
"Jesus Christ is the eternal High Priest and Shepherd of souls, who taught, labored and suffered greatly for our sakes. Pius X, Bishop of Rome, whom it has been Our great joy to enroll in the list of the Saints, following closely in the footÂsteps of his Divine Master, took that comÂmand from the lips of Christ and strenuÂously fulfilled it: he loved and fed. He loved Christ and His flock. He drew abunÂdantly on the heavenly treasures which our merciful Redeemer brought to the earth, and distributed them bountifully to the flock : namely, the nourishment of truth, heavenly mysteries, the munificent grace of the EuÂcharistic sacrament and sacrifice, charity, earnestness in governing, fortitude in deÂfense. He gave fully of himself and of those things which the Author and Giver of all good things had bestowed on him."
+ Pius XII, May 31, 1954.
Prayer
Saint Pius, you are rightly called the father of the suffering, because of your tender pity for those in need and in pain. Throughout your priestly life you consoled the sorrowful, nursed the sick, and helped the needy. Your desire to help and your personal holiÂness made even the touch of your hand or your blessing, and especially your prayers, powerful to heal both body and soul.
With deep confidence in your loving compassion and in the power of your prayers, I come to you and beg your assistance in my present needs. Help me to embrace my sufferings with all my heart for the glory of God's justice, in obedience to His holy will,
in honor of the terrible sufferings which Jesus endured on earth, in atonement for my sins, and in fulfillÂment of the plans which God has orÂdained for me. May I embrace my sufferings as a cross which God's most loving hands have placed on my shoulders. Teach me to imitate you in bearing my sufferings patiently, and in uniting them with the Sacrifice of Jesus at Mass. May I find my strength in frequent Holy Communion as you taught the faithful to do.
Saint Pius, I also pray for all the sick and suffering throughout the world. Continue to be a father to them as you were on earth. Through your prayers at the throne of God, obtain for them the grace to accept the will of God cheerfully, and to offer their sufferÂings in union with the Passion of Jesus and the sorrows of Mary, in reparaÂtion for the sins of all mankind, for the needs of this troubled world, and for the salvation of souls. Amen.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.
Saint Pius, father of the suffering, pray for us.