St Pius X – Patron Saint
St Pius X is a worthy patron challenging us to blend faith, learning and culture and for the College to produce young men who respect themselves and others.
Giuseppe Sarto was born in 1835 at Riese, Northern Italy, the second eldest of ten children. Though poor, his parents valued education and Giuseppe walked 6 kilometres to school each day.
He was ordained a priest in 1858 and later was Bishop of Mantua and Cardinal Patriarch of Venice. Fr Sarto had a strong pastoral concern in his priestly ministries and often pawned his personal possessions to help the poor.
His Papacy extended from 9 August 1903 to 20 August 1914 and was noteworthy for a number of achievements: codification of Canon Law, promotion of scientific study of the Bible, more modern liturgies and church music and many social justice initiatives.
He is often called the Pope of the Eucharist because he made Holy Communion available to younger people “at the age of reason”.
Pope Pius X was canonized on 29 May 1954 and two days later at a special Mass in the local parish church the school was officially named St Pius X College.