People don't follow titles and authority. They follow courage.

People need leadership, and in the absence of genuine leadership they will listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. People want leadership, but when they perceive that leaders lack courage and are self-serving, they reject them and assume the role themselves. They realize they are not qualified, but they would rather go to their peril under their own leadership than under the leadership of an inauthentic leader.

Saint Pius X was a shining beacon of bold leadership.

Born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto on June 2, 1835, he grew up in a large impoverished family in Riese, Italy. His deep sense of vocation led him to the priesthood in 1858, where he quickly distinguished himself through his dedication and pastoral zeal.

As a parish priest and later as Bishop of Mantua and Patriarch of Venice, Giuseppe's leadership was marked by a fearless commitment to spiritual and moral integrity. His motto, Instaurare Omnia in Christo ("To restore all things in Christ"), encapsulated his vision of Catholic renewal, a vision he carried into his papacy when he was elected Pope Pius X in 1903.

Pius X's courage shone brightly in his determination to make the Eucharist more accessible. He famously encouraged frequent Communion and lowered the age for First Communion to seven, emphasizing the profound spiritual nourishment it provides. "Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven," he declared, challenging Catholics to deepen their relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.

In an era of rising relativism and modernist theology, Pius X stood firm as a defender of Catholic doctrine. His encyclical, Pascendi Dominici Gregis, was a bold stance against the threats he perceived to the faith. As the leader of the Church, he courageously defended the truth in a rapidly changing world.

Despite his powerful positions, Pius X lived a life of personal humility. He rejected the luxuries of the papal court and remained deeply concerned for the poor. His courage was not just in his decisions but in his everyday actions, embodying the servant leadership that Jesus exemplified. 

Saint Pius X died on August 20, 1914. His legacy of courageous leadership continues to inspire the Church today. 

What Catholics need is bold leadership. Whenever and wherever a leader emerges with this boldness, the people will clamor to support such leadership. They will respond like people dying of thirst who have just been offered a cool drink of water.

How can you be a bold leader today?



Feast Day: August 21

Patron Saint of: First Communicants and Pilgrims

Symbols: The Winged Lion

Canonized: May 29, 1954

Canonized By: Pope Pius XII