Born Giuseppe Sarto in 1835 to a poor family in Riese, Italy, he served as a parish priest, bishop, and Patriarch of Venice before being elected pope in 1903. As pope he encouraged frequent reception of Holy Communion and lowered the age of First Communion so that even young children could receive Jesus. He died in August 1914 and was canonized in 1954.
Pius X never forgot his humble beginnings, living simply and remaining a pastor at heart even as pope. His motto was 'to restore all things in Christ,' and he trusted that children, in their innocence, belong especially close to Jesus in the Eucharist — a tender reminder that heaven welcomes the young with open arms.
Saint Pius X, who opened the door of the Eucharist to little children, pray for us and for all the young souls resting in the arms of Jesus. Amen.