Memorial of Saints (August 21)

Pius X (died 20 Aug 1914 A.D.):

• undertook liturgical and canonical reforms especially communion for children and frequent communion for adults;
• condemned Modernism in Lamentabili and Pascendi dominici gregis (1907 A.D.);
• motto "renew all things in Christ"; patron of sick pilgrims.

also on August 21:

• Luxorius, Cisellus and Camerinus, martyrs;
• Bonosus and Maximian, martyrs;
• Sidonius Apollinaris, bishop;
• Abraham of Smolensk, abbot

St. Pius X was elected to the papacy in 1903 A.D. This surprised many of the faithful because he had neither intellectual achievements nor diplomatic experience. Yet he is known for his tireless apostolates, generous charities and his holiness. He became known in Church history as the Pope of the Eucharist, because he reduced the required age for first Communion from 14 to 7 years of age. He also encouraged all the faithful to receive Communion as often as they can. When an international war was about to break, Pius X tried to prevent it. He however passed away a few days before World War I began (died 1914 A.D.).

Sts. Luxorius, Cisellus and Camerinus were martyrs during Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians. Luxorius was a soldier in the Roman army, but became Christian after he prayerfully read the book of Psalms in the Bible. Because of his faith in Jesus, he was arrested, together with two young boys whom he encouraged after their baptism - Cisellus and Camerinus. St. Luxorius was first scourged with a whip, and then all three were put to death by the sword (died ca. 303 A.D.).

Sts. Bonosus and Maximian were both Christian officers at Antioch. Both were arrested, because they refused to replace the Christian symbol (which Constantine had placed on army standards) with a pagan symbol. It was Julian the Apostate who ordered the pagan symbol to replace the Christian symbol. And when Bonosus and Maximian also refused to worship the pagan gods, they were eventually flogged, racked, and then beheaded (died 363 A.D.).

St. Sidonius Apollinaris married, and worked in the court of Rome for several years. He worked until 468 A.D., and then retired in Auvergne, France. In 469 A.D., he reluctantly accepted to be named bishop of Clermont - since many believed he can defend Rome's honor against the Goths. As bishop, St. Sidonius was charitable to the monks and provided food for thousands during a great famine. Although Clermont was overran by the Goths in 474 A.D. (which cause the exile of Sidonius), Sidonius however was able to return to Clermont in 476 A.D. (died ca. 480 A.D.).

St. Abraham of Smolensk (d. 1221 A.D.) was born in Smolensk, Russia. He was orphaned at an early age and gave his inheritance to the poor. He became a priest in Bogoroditskaya monastery and was widely known for his concern for the sick and the poor. Because of his prophetic denunciations, he was deprived of his priestly functions by the Bishop of Smolensk. Soon, a prolonged drought in Smolensk led to a popular demand for his reinstatement. When his case was further examined, it eventually led to his complete exoneration by the Bishop. The Bishop begged his forgiveness. He was then appointed abbot of a simple monastery, and spent the rest of his life there where he was revered for his humility - a humility he bore with dignity for five years of unjust accusations and vilifications.