South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-08-20
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ST.PETER'S CHAIR
Plus X, Born Sarto, Near Ven
ice, Early Developed Talent
Which Elevated Him to Head
of Catholic Church.


IL the world Talent displayed at an
early age and developed to an extra
ordinary degree, deep piety. broad
human sympathy and tireless energy
brought about his marvellous success.
All his life he held the love Of his
fellow men. He was the Pope OF the
poor"
His grandfather was a soldier In
the papai army under Gregory XVI.
His father worked in the fields and
as commune carried. struggling TO
maintain wien his meager income the
large family Of two sons and six
daughters. small cottage was the
the parish school at Riese. His apti-
tude induced the family TO send him
TO school at CastelfrancO, seven miles
from home. To meet the expense his
father labored even more hours daily
than had been his lot. The boy
walked the long route 20 school. He
was a faithful student, and by win
ming laurels justified the wisdom OF
the family in making sacrifices to
further his education. Precious doc
uments still preserved by his sisters
are the certificates setting forth his
eminence in the entire range of
studies. They were especially proud
OF his efficiency in Latin. Joseph. won
a scholarship which enabled him TO
terward that Of Padua. He distin-
guished himself in the study Of theol-
ogy. In 1858. when % years OF age,
he was ordained a priest.
Great Concern for Poor
From the first his greatest concern
was for the poor among his parish
oners He barely allowed himself
necessary food. and even sold his
horse that the proceeds might he
used to relieve the conditions of the
unfortunate. on one occasion he
gave away his own dinner. a poor
man came TO say that his wife was i'll.
the doctor had said she must have
broth. and he had not the means to
provide II. Meat was boiling in a pot
for Father Sarto's dinner. and, with
out hesitation, ne gave 1t 10 the man.
ReprOVed by his sister, he answered
that the mans need was great and
there was nothing 10 do but give him
food. Then he smiled benignly and
assured her that the Lord would pro
vide for them.
Until he was 81 he was employed
as a country curate. In 1867 he was
appointed parish priest OF Salzona.
There he worked faithfully for eight
years and won the attention of those
higher in authority, by the tact and
devotion with which he discharged
his parish duties. He was made
canon Of the cathedral. chancellor
Of the diocese and the spiritual di
rector Of the college. Thereafter he
became dean of the chapter, served
in an interregnum as vicar general
and was appointed suffragan.
In 1852 he passed 20 the diocese
of Mantua, where for two years he
was rector Of the seminary. He at
tracted the attention of Leo Kill.
who in 1884 created him bishop OF
81 Of
time in a condition Of ferment. There
had been continued clashing between
The episcopal and government au-
thority and th"re was in the field
a strong political force opposed 20 the
church. The tact. patience and the
kindly manner Of the bishop har-
monized these conflicting interests
The diocese of MantHa, which had
been noted for its turbulence. became
/ model. and other bishops were ex-
horted 90 bring theirs 10 as nigh
standard
Cardinal i'm 1898.
on June IL. 1893. he was created
a cardinal and three days later patri-
arch of Venice. Disturbed conditions,
due 10 atheistic agitation that had
long existed In Venice, soon yielded
TO the kindly but effective influence
OF the new patriarch. As before ne
iahored and made sacrifices TO better
the condition of the very poor. His
household was maintained in simple
style and all his income above these
most necessary expenses was devoted
10 the penniless. Utterly unable TO
resist the appeals Of deserving poor
he even pledged his MAGNIFICENT epis-
copal ring the gift of friends and
devoted the money 10 charity. Ills
sisters. who managed the household,
eNpostulated with him for making eN-
HfHH TrrHH u - ~
answered that the poor must be pro-
vided for and that he had no need
Tor money.
lie encouraged the formation Of CO.
operative societies and benevolent as
sociatiOnns. and interested himself IN
the cause OF the workingmen 1t
was through his Intervention that a
serious strike Of cigarmakers was
brought 10 a satisfactory conclusion.
He was tactful I'm dealing with the
government officials, and thus. while
he fulfilled his churchly duties with
the highest efficiency. ne command
ed the respect and admiration OF all
men They spoke Of him a. the best
administrator Venice had in 200
years. Two OF his sisters attended 10
his household Another Is the wife
OF n tavern keeper. Three sisters are
in a cloister. His brother is rural
mail carrier.
W men the aCAL cultt ~
attend the conclave called 20 elect the
head OF the church the people hailed
him as the next pope. He remon-
Etrated with them, saying that such
an event was beyond the range OF pos
sibilities. In the cOnclave he was
urged for the high office. but he put
aside those who offered their support
and begged that they End another
candidate. When the ballots began
20 turn strongly his way ne became
his own most strenuous opponent lie
took the floor 20 entreat the sacred
. college 10 desist from the idea OF elect
&ing him. and strOve 20 show wherein
Ihe lacked the requisite necessary 10
equip him 20 occupy the papal throne.
But his words had a contrary effect.
In the dignity. humility and the great
breadth OF learning disclosed in these