Day 5: Servant of the Church
Reflection
The Church’s beautiful balance is made clear on the subject of papal authority. Not too long before the papacy of Pope St. Pius X, papal infallibility was defined by Bl. Pius IX as the pope being preserved from the possibility of error, limited to times when the pontiff speaks ex cathedra (literally, “from the chair”) on an official doctrine of faith or morals to be held by the whole Church.
Pius X knew the parameters of papal infallibility and firmly voiced a faithful echo of the Church’s Teachings throughout the centuries, for he heeded the words of St. Paul: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema…For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Galatians 1: 8-10).
“I accept with sincere belief the doctrine of faith as handed down to us from the Apostles by the orthodox Fathers, always in the same sense and with the same interpretation.”
- Pope St. Pius X
Novena Prayer
(By Fr. Lawrence Lovasik)
Glorious Pontiff, Saint Pius the X, devoted servant of Our Lord and loving child of Mary, I invoke you as a saint in Heaven. I give myself to you that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of holiness and salvation.
Aid me in observing the duties of my state in life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example.
Pope of the Blessed Sacrament, teach me to love Holy Mass and Holy Communion as the source of all grace and holiness and to receive this Sacrament as often as I can.
Gentle father of the poor, help me to imitate your charity toward my fellowmen in word and deed.
Consoler of the suffering, help me to bear my daily cross patiently and with perfect resignation to the will of God. Loving Shepherd of the flock of Christ obtain for me the grace of being a true child of Holy Mother Church.
Saint Pius the X beloved Holy Father, I humbly implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare.
I recommend to you in particular this favor…
(mention your request)
Great Pontiff, whom Holy Mother Church has raised to the honor of our altars and urged me to invoke and imitate as a Saint, I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God’s Holy Will, my petition will be granted through your intercession for me at the throne of God.
St. Pius the X pray for me and for those I love. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, do not abandon us in our needs. May we experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, 3 x each
Pray for us, Pope St. Pius X!
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
