Novena to St. Pius X - Day 9
Martyr of Peace
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.
Martyr of Peace
Reflection
Before the first World War, Pope Pius X sent a brief message to his children throughÂout the world:
"At this very moment when nearly the whole of Europe is being dragged into a most terrible war . . . We, whose care is the life and welfare of so many citizens and peoples, cannot but be deeply moved, and Our heart wrung with the bitÂterest sorrow.
"In the midst of this universal confusion and peril, We feel and know that both faÂtherly love and Our apostolic ministry deÂmand that We should, with all earnestness, turn the thoughts of Christendom to Him from whom comes all help, the Christ, the Prince of Peace, the all-powerful Mediator between God and man. We charge then the Catholics of the whole world to approach the throne of grace and mercy, each and all of them, so that the merciful God may, as it were, grow wearied with the prayers of His children, and speedily remove the evil causes of war, and inspire the rulers of the nations with thoughts of peace and not of war."
+ St. Pius X, 1914.
The Pope's last pontifical brief dealt with the Eucharistic Congress to be held at Lourdes. He wrote:
"Never had Mary ceased to show that motherly love which she manifested so wonderfully even to her last breath. It might indeed be said that her sole work was to lead all human beings to the love of Jesus and to zeal in His service. May the divine Author and Preserver of the Church look upon those of His flock who are afflicted today with so many calamiÂties. May He pour out the fire of His love and revive the half dead faith of those who now hardly retain the name of Chris- tian."
+ St. Pius X, July, 1914.
When the war finally came, Pope Pius deÂclared, "I would have given my life to preÂvent it." The strain he was under as a conÂsequence of the evils afflicting the children of God, surely hastened his death. He was a martyr of peace.
Prayer
O blessed Pontiff, Saint Pius, servant of your Lord, humble and loyal disciple of the Divine Master, wise shepherd of the flock of Christ in joy and sorrow, in labor and loneliness, look down upon us kneeling before your incorrupt body!
Hard are the times in which we live! Unbearable the burdens they impose upon us! The Spouse of Christ, once entrusted to your care, finds herself in great difficulties. Her children are afflicted by many dangers of soul and body. The spirit of the world like a roaring lion seeks whom it may devour. Many are its victims. They have eyes and see not; they have ears and hear not; they refuse to look upon light of eternal truth! They listen to dangerous voices proÂclaiming a message of betrayal!
O you, who were once- the great inÂspirer and guide of the people of God, help us! Intercede for us and for all those who long to follow Christ. Your heart broke when you saw the world plunged into the bloody struggle of the first World War. Help humanity, aid Christianity, exposed today to the same dangers, and to the same trials. Obtain for us from the Divine Mercy the gift of enduring peace; and, to promote this idea, bring about the return of all peoples to the spirit of true brotherhood, which alone can restore among nations the justice and unity that God wills among men. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Saint Pius, martyr of peace, pray for us.