Chapel of Saint Pius X
Chapel of Saint Pius X
| Before this altar was dedicated to St. Pius X, it was
known as the altar of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple.
She is portrayed as a little girl joyfully going up the steps to the temple
with her parents Anne and Joachim. This event is magnificently depicted
in mosaic by Romanelli to drawings by the painter Carlo Maratta.
Below the altar, is a crystal coffin containing the body
of St. Pius X (1904-1914), pauper et dives, mitis et humilis corde". The
body is dressed in pontifical robes, while the face and hands are covered
with silver. The world greatly admired his wisdom and firm government.
He helped restore Christian life by issuing wise laws on the religious
education of children, youths and adults. His catechism gives clear answers
to many religious question He allowed young children to take Communion,
promoted the practice of daily communion as a source of virtue and holiness,
he reformed the liturgy in the Missal and Breviary as well as sacred music
and Gregorian chant. He fought against and condemned modernism which is
still the cause of many evils. He was, however, unable to convince the
reigning monarchs and heads of state of his era to avoid the
His heart could not stand the vision of so many innocent deaths. He died after having offered his life for peace. On the right pillar he is shown with arms and gaze upraised to heaven. The statue was carved by Pietro Astorgi (1923). |
