Bl. Pius IX

"We are well aware of our weakness. So when we reflect on the most serious duties of the supreme apostolate especially in a period of great instability, we would simply have fallen into great sadness, did we not place all our hope in God who is Our Savior. For He never abandons those who hope in Him. Time and again, so as to demonstrate what His power can accomplish, He employs weak instruments to rule His Church; in this way, all men may increasingly realize that it is God Himself who governs and protects the Church with His wonderful providence."
- Bl. Pius IX(1792 - 1878)

Today is the feast day of Blessed Pope Pius IX. Pius was born Giovanni Maria Mastai- Ferretti in 1792.  Pius IX was pope for 32 years, and during that time did many things to help the Church. In 1869, he convened the First Vatican Council. He defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, and granted the Marian title of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. He was known for his great charity, and was beatified in 2000. 

Bl. Pius IX, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About Bl. Piux IX Taken From:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7634