The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-08-07
STORY OF HIS LIFE.
Honored For His Purify and Strict
Uprightness.

|
Uprightness.
Giuseppe Sarto was born in Riesi,
diocese of Treviso, June 2, 1885, and
was created cardinal by Leo XIII. at
the consistory of June IL, 1898, receiv.
ing the title Of S. Bernardo dele
Terme. He is also Patriarch of Venice
since June, 1893, and Bishop of Man
tua. He belongs to the ecclesiastical
congregations Of bishops and regulars,
sacred rites, indulgences and sacred
relics.
Cardinal Sarto enjoys great popular
| ity in his diocese, and is honored by
all for his purity for the strict upright
ness of his life, and for liberal ideas.
He is modest and agreeable man,
highly cultivated, very kindhearted,
still strong and robust in spite of his
GO years. He has never taken great
part in the political and public life Of
the church; but divided his time be-
tween study and good works. AL.
though most faithful to the Holy See
he was presented to the King and
Queen Of Italy in Venice. He may be
considered among the more liberal
members of the Italian episcopate and
sacred college. He is rather timid in
expressing an opinion. 1t is said that
Leo XIII. always thought very highly
OF him, and sided with him on one
occasion when Sarto disapproved of
Rampolla's policy.
The new pope Is modest, energetic,
good administrator and organizer, a
patron OF the arts, and his seriousness
always has been proverbial.
Early in April Pope Leo, in a con-
versation with FIR. Perosi, the Italian
composer, said in speaking of Cardinal
Sarto:
Hold him very dear, Perosi, as in
the future he will be able to do much
for you. We firmly believe he will be
our successor"
He has been known for many years
as one of the greatest preachers in the
church.
"Sarto" in Italian means tailor
and Plus X. when young seminarist,
being rather elegant in his priestly
robes, his companions used to joke,
saying that he evidently knew the
business. He began his education at
seminary at Treviso and continued
1t at Padua, the seat of the famous
university, one Of the best known in
the world. Plus X was only 2S when
he was consecrated a priest at Castel
Franco, the birthplace Of the great
master, Giorgione, acting afterwards
for nine years as coadjutor to the par
ish priest of Tombolo, province of Pa
dua, small village of 1850 people
who were the first to appreciate his
virtues. His kindness was untiring.
In 1867 he was appointed parish priest
at Salzano, which was considered an
important decision, being a village of
3,341 souls. He distinguished himself
so much at Salzano that he was only
kept there two years, which is remark
able in the career Of an Italian parish
priest. In 1875 he was elected chan
cellor of the bishopric of Treviso, then
spiritual director of that seminary,
judge of the ecclesiastical tribunal and
finally vicar general.
Pope Leo, who had highly appre-
ciated his cleverness, piety and mod
esty, appointed him in November, 1884,
at the age of 40 years. bishop of Man
tua, where he remained nine years,
until 1893, when he was made a car
dinal and appointed patriarch of Ven-
ice. He there distinguished himself as
thorough reformer, suppressing all
abuses, restoring the dignity Of the
clergy and the earnestness Of religion.
To him Is due the revival of Grego-
rian chant in the beautiful churches,
overlooking the lagoons, and to him is
due the strict lithurgic rules. Sarto
became the idol of the Venetians.
When his gondola went through the
canals the people rushed on the
bridges and along the sides of the
canals, kneeling and saluting, the wo-
men exclaiming God bless the patri-
arch"
Advices from Riese, the birthplace
of Plus x and a village of 1000 in
habitants, state that the pope's
mother, now dead, when living there,
occupied a small peasants house, hav-
ing in her humility always refused to
live with her son. Giuseppe. as even
cred by her to be too luxurious in COM
parison with what she was accustomed
to- The elder brother of the pope,
Angelo, lives in the village of Dele
grazie, province of Mantua, being the
postman of the district.