stpiusv

Pope St Pius V

      One of the greatest leaders in Church history was the Dominican Michael Ghislieri who eventually rose to the rank of cardinal and was elected Pope in 1566 with the reign name of Pius V. His pontificate came at a crucial time, not only for the Church, but for all of western civilization as we know it. The Protestant revolt had caused deep divisions throughout Christendom and corruption within the Church heirarchy was still a major problem. St Pius V would lead the way in cleaning up and restoring the Church, as well as saving Europe from Muslim domination. His reign teaches us many things, but probably none more so as the need for humble virtue and the great power of prayer.
       In 1571, the Ottoman Turks under the rule of Sultan Selim the Grim were launching a wide offensive throughout the Mediterranean area. Cyprus fell after the Turkish commander promised quarter to the people of the island, only to have the inhabitants butchered after the surrender. The Muslim fleet then turned toward the goal of Rome. The Turkish ruler had pledged to conquer the Eternal City and turn the Basilica of St Peter into a mosque as they had done to the Hagia Sofia in the eastern capital of Constantinople.
       The Pope called for a Crusade to stop the invasion, but of the major Christian rulers, only King Philip II of Spain answered the call. A Christian fleet of ships from Spain, Italy and even some from the Pope himself, were gathering under the command of Philip's brother Don John of Austria. But, everyone knew they would be totally outnumbered by the massive Ottoman flotilla. The Pope, therefore decided to rely on other forces. He called on all the Faithful to pray the Rosary and seek the aid of the Blessed Virgin in defending Christendom from the Muslim invasion. The battle came on October 7 at Lepanto. At just the right moment the winds shifted in favor of the Christian fleet and the Turks were utterly defeated.
       St Pius V had been in the Vatican discussing finances with the treasurer when, at the exact moment of victory God showed him a vision of the Catholic triumph. He turned to the treasurer and said, "Go with God. This is not the time for business, but to give thanks to Jesus Christ, for our fleet has just conquered." To show his appreciation the Pope made the day of the battle of Lepanto the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary in recognition for the divine assistance of Our Lady in winning the day.
       During his reign St Pius V also called the Council of Trent in 1545 to address the problems in the Church. However, the Pope also lead by example. Unlike earlier worldly Popes, St Pius V lived in a bare apartment in the Vatican, wore a plain white cassock and spent hours in prayer and meditation on the Passion of Christ. He ordered the building of seminaries to train priests, issued a new Missal, Breviary, Catechism and founded the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine to help young people understand the Catholic Faith. He also established the Tridentine Mass and declared that it was to be said "in perpetuity". He also made sure that the Council of Trent was effective, putting a stop to the simony and nepotism that had become too common.
       Pope St Pius V was so popular that the people of Rome wanted to erect a statue of him to honor their reforming Pope. Naturally, a man as humble and focused on God as St Pius V, would not allow them to do so. Through his reign St Pius V had proven just how much could be accomplished by one good man who is humble, and devoted to God and the Holy Mother. He also proved in a most dramatic way the very real power of the Rosary and how prayer is always the first best weapon of the Faithful. He died in 1572.