St. Pius X, August 21
The son of a village postman, Giuseppe Sarto was pope from 1903 to 1914. He encouraged frequent Communion, allowed children to receive it from the age of reason and reformed church music and law. He died as the First World War began and was canonized in 1954.
On the General Roman Calendar, August 21 is a memorial: Saint Pius X, pope.
August 21 on the calendar
August 21 is the 233rd day of the year (the 234th in a leap year), with 132 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday |
| 2027 | Saturday |
| 2028 | Monday |
| 2029 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | Wednesday |
Keeping August 21
August 21 falls in summer. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival.
Saints of the week around August 21
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| August 18 | St. Helena |
| August 19 | St. John Eudes |
| August 20 | St. Bernard of Clairvaux |
| August 22 | Queenship of Mary |
| August 23 | St. Rose of Lima |
| August 24 | St. Bartholomew |
The day before, August 20, is the day of St. Bernard of Clairvaux. The day after, August 22, belongs to Queenship of Mary. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.