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Pope St. Pius X
A fast-paced, fascinating life. From poor peasant to Pope. He condemned Modernism, allowed Communion at seven, reformed Church music & the Breviary, initiated a new code of Canon Law, etc., and set out "to restore all things in Christ". Impr. 172 pgs, PB
169 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1987
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About the author
F.A. Forbes
76 books22 followersF. A. Forbes (16 March 1869 – 1936) was the nom de plume of Mother Frances Alice Monica Forbes, RSCJ, a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart from Scotland and a religious author.
She was born in 1869 as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. Her mother died when she was a child. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. Only a few months later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant.
She wrote numerous books, including brief biographies of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint John Bosco, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Columba, Saint Monica, Saint Athanasius, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Benedict, Saint Hugh of Lincoln, Saint Vincent de Paul, and, most famously, Pope Saint Pius X. She died in 1936.
She was born in 1869 as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. Her mother died when she was a child. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. Only a few months later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant.
She wrote numerous books, including brief biographies of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint John Bosco, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Columba, Saint Monica, Saint Athanasius, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Benedict, Saint Hugh of Lincoln, Saint Vincent de Paul, and, most famously, Pope Saint Pius X. She died in 1936.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 25, 2019
This is a very short book, I would almost say essay length. You go relatively quickly through the life of Pope Pius X, born as Giuseppe Sarto, from his early life in poverty, waiting in anticipation to see if the patriarch of Venice would sponsor him to the seminary , to becoming a priest, to himself being elevated to become the patriarchy of Venice, to being elected pope, and finally dying shortly after the start of the First World War. Nonetheless I would say Forbes does the subject justice. You learn a lot here.
You gain insight into the personality of the pope, pushing himself in his duties and efforts through the belief that "any kind of work was a thing to draw men nearer to the Christ who was 'poor and in labours from His youth." He was compassionate and enjoyed mixing with and aiding the common people in his parish, a tendency that never left him, even in the papacy, of course by when it was much more difficult to mix with the crowds.
Perhaps Pope Pius is most famous for his conflict with modernism, which is covered rather well here, as well as can be covered concisely. The modernists simply view themselves as being open minded, and the suppression of the movement as a type of intellectual stubbornness, but from even before his ordination, the man who would become Pope Pius was a very intellectual man. It's how he distinguished himself in spite of his poverty. He certainly viewed the pursuit of knowledge as a worthwhile and holy effort. As a priest, he promoted education from his efforts to alleviate illiteracy at his first parish, to his aims as pope in promoting Catholic education to alleviate the ignorance which he held responsible for so much secularism in the world. He confidently welcomed the promotion of knowledge. "Christianity does not tremble before discussion, but before ignorance" he proclaimed. Of course the promotion of knowledge would involve defending the truth against error as well though.
Of course, the conflict with modernism was only a chapter, in the book and in the life of Pope Pius. In spite of the short length of the book, Forbes tries to be rather comprehensive in the achievements of the man, who would become pope, and eventually even a saint.
You gain insight into the personality of the pope, pushing himself in his duties and efforts through the belief that "any kind of work was a thing to draw men nearer to the Christ who was 'poor and in labours from His youth." He was compassionate and enjoyed mixing with and aiding the common people in his parish, a tendency that never left him, even in the papacy, of course by when it was much more difficult to mix with the crowds.
Perhaps Pope Pius is most famous for his conflict with modernism, which is covered rather well here, as well as can be covered concisely. The modernists simply view themselves as being open minded, and the suppression of the movement as a type of intellectual stubbornness, but from even before his ordination, the man who would become Pope Pius was a very intellectual man. It's how he distinguished himself in spite of his poverty. He certainly viewed the pursuit of knowledge as a worthwhile and holy effort. As a priest, he promoted education from his efforts to alleviate illiteracy at his first parish, to his aims as pope in promoting Catholic education to alleviate the ignorance which he held responsible for so much secularism in the world. He confidently welcomed the promotion of knowledge. "Christianity does not tremble before discussion, but before ignorance" he proclaimed. Of course the promotion of knowledge would involve defending the truth against error as well though.
Of course, the conflict with modernism was only a chapter, in the book and in the life of Pope Pius. In spite of the short length of the book, Forbes tries to be rather comprehensive in the achievements of the man, who would become pope, and eventually even a saint.
September 18, 2024
It was good in the sense that it was inspiring. However, I would like to read a more academic study of Pius X in terms of his person and the results of his papacy. Popes like St. Pius X and some others are not in leadership all of the time.
May 13, 2018
Easy-to-read and well-written biography of Pius X beginning with his childhood, seminary and the parishes where he served as a young priest. He was described as brilliant yet humble and always willing to help the poor and disadvantaged. His brilliance led to his ascending to bishop, cardinal and then pope. As Pope he is remembered by establishing reforms in the church from practices in the mass liturgy to fighting against heresies. His best known fight or concern was against Modernism - the belief that man controls his destiny and environment as opposed to the belief of God as the supreme Being and the controller of the universe. Pope Pius X also lowered the age of First Communion to 7 and encouraged daily communion. He also brought reform into liturgical music by bringing back Gregorian chant. At the time church music was dominated by operatic music. I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about a major saint in the continuum of the Catholic Church.
September 10, 2021
This was a fast read outlining the basics of Pope St. Pius X as he went from child to the much beloved Pope. A true man of God and of the people. He made many changes in the Church from restoring Gregorian Chant to allowing first communion at the age of seven. Many miracles were attributed to him while he was alive.
This is not a long book, but it is a good introduction to the man.
This is not a long book, but it is a good introduction to the man.
March 17, 2023
I read the children's version of this Pope to my children when they were young. What a remarkable life this poor peasant boy lived. I happened upon this adult version recently and fell in love again with Pope Pius X 's passion for God and his people. The humility he displays is remarkable for such powerful leader. He sets a shining example for all to follow.
December 28, 2024
A good biography on a legendary Pope.
June 8, 2025
🖊️ Pope Saint Pius X was the first ethnic Pole as Pope (not Pope Saint John Paul II).
Pius X’s parents left Wielkopolska, Poland and emigrated to Italy. His father subsequently changed the family name from Krawiec to Sarto in order to help assimilate into Italian society.
This biography on Pope Saint Pius X is well-written, educational, and inspirational. Saint Pius X was a strong anti-modernist (Yay!), he organized the Catholic parochial school system (Yay!), including weekly catechism for children and daily sermons at Mass, among other strong traditionally-held strengths for the Church. Saint Pius X also caused miracles during his life on Earth.
Important quotes from Saint Pius X:
⭐️"In order to command," he was to say hereafter as pope, "it is necessary to have learned to obey."
⭐️"Religion has no fear of science," said Monsignor Sarto, attacking one of the most popular fallacies of the day; "Christianity does not tremble before discussion, but before ignorance.
⭐️"God is driven out of politics by this theory of the separation of church and state," wrote the new patriarch in his first letter to his flock. "He is driven out of learning by systematized doubt; from art by the degrading influence of realism; from law by a morality which is guided by the senses alone; from the schools by the abolition of religious instruction; from Christian marriage, which they want to deprive of the grace of the sacrament; from the cottage of the poor peasant, who disdains the help of Him who alone can make his hard life bearable; from the palaces of the rich, who no longer fear the eternal Judge who will one day ask from them an account of their stewardship. . . . We must fight this great contemporary error, the enthronement of man in the place of God. The solution of this, as of all other problems, lies in the Church and the teaching of the Gospel."
I enjoyed this short, information-packed biography. My admiration for him as one of my favorite and inspirational saints continues to be firm.
Note about the authoress: F. A. Forbes (1869–1936) was the nom de plume of Frances Alice Monica Forbes, RSCJ, a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart. She was born in Scotland as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. A short time later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant. From there, she wrote many religious biographies, most famously one about Pope Saint Pius X.
CONTENTS
I. CHILD AND STUDENT
II. CURATE AND PARISH PRIEST
III. CANON AND BISHOP
IV. PATRIARCH OF VENICE
V. THE PAPAL ELECTION
VI. THE AIMS OF PIUS X
VII. PIUS X AND FRANCE
VIII. THE POPE OF THE EUCHARIST
IX. PIUS X AND MODERNISM
X. PIUS X AND THE PRIESTHOOD
XI. THE POPE OF THE SUFFERING
XII. THE POPE OF PEACE
📕 Published —1918, and now in the public domain.
જ⁀ 🍋 Read on Project Gutenberg.
જ⁀ 🫐 Read on Internet Archive.
જ⁀🍇 Kindle.
જ⁀🍓 "Surprising Things About Pius X" via Bellermine Forum their website .
🕊️▪️🕊️▪️🕊️
Pius X’s parents left Wielkopolska, Poland and emigrated to Italy. His father subsequently changed the family name from Krawiec to Sarto in order to help assimilate into Italian society.
This biography on Pope Saint Pius X is well-written, educational, and inspirational. Saint Pius X was a strong anti-modernist (Yay!), he organized the Catholic parochial school system (Yay!), including weekly catechism for children and daily sermons at Mass, among other strong traditionally-held strengths for the Church. Saint Pius X also caused miracles during his life on Earth.
Important quotes from Saint Pius X:
⭐️"In order to command," he was to say hereafter as pope, "it is necessary to have learned to obey."
⭐️"Religion has no fear of science," said Monsignor Sarto, attacking one of the most popular fallacies of the day; "Christianity does not tremble before discussion, but before ignorance.
⭐️"God is driven out of politics by this theory of the separation of church and state," wrote the new patriarch in his first letter to his flock. "He is driven out of learning by systematized doubt; from art by the degrading influence of realism; from law by a morality which is guided by the senses alone; from the schools by the abolition of religious instruction; from Christian marriage, which they want to deprive of the grace of the sacrament; from the cottage of the poor peasant, who disdains the help of Him who alone can make his hard life bearable; from the palaces of the rich, who no longer fear the eternal Judge who will one day ask from them an account of their stewardship. . . . We must fight this great contemporary error, the enthronement of man in the place of God. The solution of this, as of all other problems, lies in the Church and the teaching of the Gospel."
I enjoyed this short, information-packed biography. My admiration for him as one of my favorite and inspirational saints continues to be firm.
Note about the authoress: F. A. Forbes (1869–1936) was the nom de plume of Frances Alice Monica Forbes, RSCJ, a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart. She was born in Scotland as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. A short time later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant. From there, she wrote many religious biographies, most famously one about Pope Saint Pius X.
CONTENTS
I. CHILD AND STUDENT
II. CURATE AND PARISH PRIEST
III. CANON AND BISHOP
IV. PATRIARCH OF VENICE
V. THE PAPAL ELECTION
VI. THE AIMS OF PIUS X
VII. PIUS X AND FRANCE
VIII. THE POPE OF THE EUCHARIST
IX. PIUS X AND MODERNISM
X. PIUS X AND THE PRIESTHOOD
XI. THE POPE OF THE SUFFERING
XII. THE POPE OF PEACE
📕 Published —1918, and now in the public domain.
જ⁀ 🍋 Read on Project Gutenberg.
જ⁀ 🫐 Read on Internet Archive.
જ⁀🍇 Kindle.
જ⁀🍓 "Surprising Things About Pius X" via Bellermine Forum their website .
🕊️▪️🕊️▪️🕊️
Read
February 1, 2016Dreadful, biased biography. F.A. Forbes was a nun who wrote a number of biographies of people significant in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. And in the cases of the couple I started (but refused to waste the time to finish), including this one, the subject of the book was always a wonderful, obedient child who was loved by all and whose only fault may have been some rambunctiousness. They were all very good students who radiated holiness and whose greatest delight was prayer. Sr. Forbes wrote her books before the dust after the death had time to settle because archives on someone such as a pope would not have been available to her, since she published sometimes the same year as the person's death. One does not get the feeling that she so much as wrote a letter to anyone who really knew what the pope was like early in life. And when Sr. Forbes discusses anything that an encyclical was issued about, stow your brain under the seat in front of you. She discusses the issue, says that the pope answered the question in his encyclical by writing thus and so, thereby putting the issue to bed. No thinking on the part of a Catholic reader is required. O, we, like sheep, have been given the answer and do not have to come to our own conclusions.
Only for readers who do not feel that a pope could have been anything but a sheer delight, and for Catholics who wish to be told how to think.
Only for readers who do not feel that a pope could have been anything but a sheer delight, and for Catholics who wish to be told how to think.
April 4, 2014
Pleasant early biography and hagiography of the great twentieth-century Pope and Saint, charting his growth from the simplest of origins to the highest position in the Church and the world. He is most admirable for the consistency in his character and for his great love for people, in particular the poorest of the poor. The great battles with secularism and modernism, in which he was so attacked during his lifetime (even as was every Pope after him), were the result of his love and respect for Christ and his Church and his great desire that all things be restored in Christ. I should wish more men like Giuseppe Sarto to walk the earth, charismatic leaders with strong principles and kind hearts.
July 11, 2014
This is really very simple, but OK as a primer - a place to start for a beginner.
I have more about this book in a review here: http://corjesusacratissimum.org/2012/...
I have more about this book in a review here: http://corjesusacratissimum.org/2012/...
July 22, 2015
Pius X was an amazing man his life showed his faith and his love of all mankind. I now know why he was named A Saint. A true inspirational book and A must read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews