Sancte Pie Decime: song to our saint
Are you familiar with the stirring song to St. Pius X often heard sung at events of the Society of St. Pius X?
The SSPX's hymn to its patron, Sancte Pie Decime—can often be heard triumphantly sung during the recessional of a Mass offered for an important public occasion, such as ordinations, a jubilee or other celebratory event.
This stirring song is simple in its majesty and lyrics, merely comprised of a thrice-repeated chorus of "Sancte Pie Decime, Gloriose Patrone, Ora, ora pro nobis!" ("St. Pius the Tenth, Glorious Patron [of the Society of St. Pius X], Pray, pray for us!")
The fullness of the humble plea that St. Pius X "pray—pray for us" is perhaps better appreciated when we reflect on the Collect from the Office (and Mass) of St. Pius X's feast day:
O God, Who to safeguard Catholic faith and to restore all things in Christ, didst fill the Supreme Pontiff, St. Pius, with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fortitude: grant in Thy mercy: that by striving to fulfill his ordinances and to follow his example, we may reap eternal rewards. Through the same our Lord."
On this feast day of St. Pius X, we further offer to our readers' devotion this novena prayer to the holy pope, composed by Fr. Lawrence Lovasik, SVD, the noted American priestly author of children's catechetical books (another apostolic effort dear to the saintly pope's heart).
Prayer to St. Pius X
Glorious Pontiff, St. 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.
St. 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.
Imprimatur: John M. Gannon, Archbishop of Erie, Pennsylvania
