Pope Saint Pius V

"You are the salt of the earth! You are the light of the world! See to it that the people are edified by your example, by the purity of your lives, by the moderation of your conduct, and the brilliance of your holiness! God does not ask of you mere ordinary virtue. He demands downright perfection!"
- Pope Saint Pius V to the cardinals, (1504 - 1572)

Today is the feast day of Pope Saint Pius V. Pius was born Antonio Ghislieri in Bosco, Italy, in 1504. He was born to a poor family, and worked as a shepherd until he was 14. After that, Pius joined the Dominicans and was ordained in 1528. After studying at Bologna and Genoa, he taught theology and philosophy for 16 years. He later held the posts of master of novices and prior for several Dominican houses. In 1551, Pius was named commissary general of the Inquisition after being inquisitor for Como and Bergamo. In 1556, he became the bishop of Nepi and Sutri, and also became a cardinal in 1557. In 1558, Pius became the grand inquisitor. In 1566, Pius was unanimously elected pope, and his main objective was the continuation of the massive program of reform for the Church. This reform also included implementing the decrees of the Council of Trent. Pius published the Roman Catechism, the revised Roman Breviary, the Roman Missal, and established the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes for the young. He also declared Saint Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church, and commanded a new edition of Saint Thomas's works. Furthermore, in order to stop the threat of the Turks, Pius organized an alliance between Venice and Spain, which ended in a great victory over the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. The day was declared the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, in recognition of Our Lady's intercession in answer to the saying of the Rosary all over Catholic Europe. Pius also insisted upon wearing his coarse Dominican robes under his papal vestments, and was very devoted to the religious life. He died in 1572, and was canonized in 1712. 

Pope Saint Pius V, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About Pope Saint Pius V Taken From:

 http://www.catholictradition.org/Papacy/papal-gallery7.htm

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5515

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/