Giuseppe Melchiore Sarto, Pope St. Pius X
ARMS: Azure, a three tined anchor sable, a fouled rope gules in bend, in wavy water proper, a six pointed star in chief or, a chief of Venice argent, the lion of St. Mark enhaloed passant holding with his right paw an open book proper, with the words, “Pax Tibi Marce Evangelista Meus” ( Peace be with you Mark, my Evangelist )( An angel said to St. Mark disembarking in Venice ).
SOURCE/NOTES & CREDITS: St. Pius was born on 2 June 1835 and died on 29 August 1914 at age 79. He took Arms when Bishop of Mantua and he amended them when appointed Cardinal Archbishop of Venice in 1893 and were kept when he was elected pope, from “Heraldry in the Vatican” by Jacques Cardinal Martin, Van Duren, 1987, Gerrards Cross, page 203.
St. Pius was the first pope to be canonized in 2 1/2 centuries ( the last being St. Pius V in 1504-1572 canonized on 22 May 1712 ) on 29 May 1954 and the only 20th century pope to date to be made a saint as we write on this 23rd of March 2008. He was the great traditional pope of the twentieth century, reigning 1903-1914.
The artwork is a rendering by John Hamilton Gaylor.
Wedvick Armorial, 031a, St. Pius X,
2008 0323
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