The Detroit times., 1914-08-20


Pope Plus X was born Joseph Sarto
at REESE, near Venice. June 2. 1895. He
was the child or poor peasants. He
rose TO a station considered by mill
lions OF people the most exalted In the
world Talent displayed at an early
age and developed to an extraordinary
degree. deep piety. broad human SYM
ne held the love OF his fellow men. He
was the Pope OF the Poor"
His grandfather was soldier In
His father worked in the fields as com
munal carrier. struggling to maintain
with his meager Income the large fam
lily OF two sons and six daughters. A
small cottage was the birthplace of
school at REESE. His aptitude induced
the family to send him to a school at
Castelfranco. seven miles from home.
no meet the ssH bas Ssea
his lot The boy walked the long
route to school He was faithful
student. and by winning laurels justi-
ing sacrifices to further his education.
Precious documents still preserved by
his sisters are the certificates setting
forth his eminence In the entire range
of studies. They were especially proud
OF his proficiency In Latin. Joseph won
a scholarship which enabled him to en-
ter the seminary of Treviso and after
ward that of Padua. He distinguished
himself In the study stud Of Of theology In
ordained a priest
From the first his greatest concern
was for the poor among his parishion-
ers. He barely allowed himself neces.
the proceeds might be used to relieve
the condition OF the unfortunate. On
one occasion he gave away his own
dinner A poor man an. came sn. to say say that that
she must have broth. and he had not
the means to provide II. Meat was
boiling In pot for Father Sarfo's
Il to the man. Reproved by his sister
ne answered that the mans need was
great and there was nothing to do but
give him the food. Then he smiled be-
M nsny p anS S for them na' the
Until he was 81 he was employed as
a country curate. In 1857 he was ap-
pointed parish priest of Salzano. There
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 director Of the college.
Thereafter he became dean of the
chapter. served In an interregnum as
vicar general and was appointed SUI
In 1882 ne passed to the diocese OF
Mantua. where for two years he was
rector of the seminary He attracted
the attention OF Leo XIII. who In 1884
diocese was at that time in a oondi-
ton of ferment. There had been COM
tinued clashing between the episcopal
and government authority, and there
force opposed to the church. The tact.
patience and the kindly manner Of the
bishop harmonized these conflict Inter
ests The diocese Of Mantua. which
came a model. and other bishops were
exhorted to bring theirs to as high .
On june a. 1898, he was created :
of Venice. Disturbed conditions. due
to atheistic agitation that had long
existed in Venice. soon yielded to the
kindly but effective influence of the
ne es s. .ss: to ssfSss he hs
dition OF the very poor. His house,
hold was maintains. IN simple style
and all his income above these most
penniIess. Utterly unable to resist the
appeals of deserving poor he even
pledged his magnificent episcopal ring
the gift OF friends. and devoted the
managed the household. expostuiated
with him for making extreme sacri-
-ffrex- but with smile he answered
that the poor must be provided for
and that he had no need for money
operative societies and benevolent as
sociations. and interested himself In
the cause OF the workingmen. 1t was
strike of cigarmakers was brought to
q satisfactory conclusion: He was
ment officials, and thus, while he full
filled his churchly duties with the
respect and admiration Of all men
They speak of his az the best admin
istration Venice had in 200 years. Two
of his sisters attended TO his house
hold Another In the wife Of q tav-
ernkeeper. Three sisters are in a
cioister. His brother 10 a rural mail
carrier
attend the conciave called to elect tn.
head OF the church, the people hailed
him as the next pope. He remonstrat.
ed with them. saying that such ar
event was beyond the range OF posi-.
for the high office, but he put asid,
those who proffered their support ant
begged that they find another candI
date. When the ballots began to turr
strongly his way he became his owr
most strenuous opponent. He took tn,
floor to entreat the sacred college e
desist from the Idea of electing him
and strove to show wherein he Lacked
the requisite necessary TO equip hin
TO occupy the papaI throne. But hi
words had a contrary effect. In thu
dignity, the humility and the grea
breadth Of learning disclosed In these
his colleagues an the one man to b
his colleagues az the one man to b.
placed at the head Of the church. HI
was chosen on the sixth ballot.
One OF the first private audiences
granted by him as pope was TO thu
mayor and other municipal oficiali
OF REESE In his first public audience
the United States. led by Cardinal Glib
bons. He retained his frugal manne
Of living and his habit az a tremendoui
worker. He followed almost withou
exception this daily routine: AIS q. m.
arose: s:ls, mass in chapel: 7;so. break
gan work alone; 3, oonferences with
secretary OF state and other officers
p. m. dinner, followed by siesta and
reading OF Bible: $3.50. walk In gar
private receptions; .. supper; 1880
In the government Of the church he
displayed the broad grasp of affairs
,udrment that marked his administra-
ton of the lesser. though important.
duties that had been Entrusted to him
by the church He was confederate
and sympathetic. while strictly uphold
and he earned the loyalty and devotios
and admiration OF all the world.
"Restare omnia an Christie" (Restors
all In Christ). the motto OF the late
Pope Plus X. sums up his entiresad.
sonai life. soon after his election, the
pope made evident hts policy by the
publication OF a letter known an tn
Motu Froprio. on ecciesiastic music, re.