Pope Pius X

Early life and ministry

Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto was born June 2 1835 in Riese, Province of Treviso, in Venice, Italy. He was the second born of ten children of Giovanni Battista Sarto (1792-1852) and Margarita Sanson (1813-1894). He was baptized June 3 1835. Giuseppe's childhood was one of poverty, being the son of the village postman (his father) and seamstress (his mother).

Related Topics:
June 2 - Riese - Treviso - Venice - 1792 - 1852 - 1813 - 1894 - June 3 - 1835

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At a young age, Giuseppe studied Latin with his village priest, and went on to study at the gymnasium of Castelfranco Veneto. "In 1850 he received the tonsure from the Bishop of Treviso, and was given a scholarship the Diocese of Treviso" to attend the Seminary of Padua "where he finished his classical, philosophical, and theological studies with distinction" .

Related Topics:
Latin - Gymnasium - Castelfranco Veneto - 1850 - Tonsure - Padua

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In 1858, Giuseppe Sarto was ordained a priest, and became chaplain at Tombolo. While there, Father Sarto expanded his knowledge of theology, studying both Saint Thomas Aquinas and canon law, while carrying out most of the functions of the parish pastor, who was quite ill. In 1867, he was named Arch-Priest of Salzano. Here he restored the church and expanded the hospital, the funds coming from his own begging, wealth and labor. He became popular with the people when he worked to assist the sick during the cholera plague that swept into northern Italy in the early 1870s.

Related Topics:
1858 - Tombolo - Saint Thomas Aquinas - Canon law - Parish - 1867 - Salzano - Cholera - 1870s

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In 1875 he was made Canon (or Chancellor) of the Cathedral and Diocese of Treviso, holding offices such as spiritual director, rector of the Treviso seminary, and examiner of the clergy. As Chancellor he made it possible for public school students to receive religious instruction.

Related Topics:
1875 - Canon - Rector - Public school

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In 1878 Bishop Zanelli died, leaving the Bishopric of Mantua vacant. Following Zanelli's death, the canons of cathedral chapters (of which Monsignor Sarto was one) inherited the episcopal jurisdiction as corporate body, and were chiefly responsible for the election of a Vicar-Capitular who would take over the responsibilities of Mantua until a new bishop was named. In 1879, Sarto was elected to the position, which he served in from December of that year to June of 1880.

Related Topics:
1878 - Mantua - Bishop - 1879 - 1880

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After 1880, Sarto taught dogmatic theology and moral theology at the seminary in Mantua.

Related Topics:
Dogmatic theology - Moral theology - Seminary

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