Today is the Feast Day of St. Pope Pius V
St. Pope Pius V, pray for us
A Reflection on Pope St. Pius V
"The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day" (Proverbs 4:18). This proverb reflects the life of Pius V, who rose from the humblest of beginnings to leave an incredible mark on the Church and the world during some of its most turbulent times.
Born into poverty, Michael Ghislieri, the future Pope St. Pius V, first showed his extraordinary resolve and capability in the quiet corridors of a Dominican monastery. As a novice master, he not only nurtured the spiritual lives of his novices but also proved a capable administrator. His tenure was fraught with peril, narrowly escaping death multiple times at the hands of the Reformers. These early trials by fire forged a resilience and deep faith that would define his life and papacy.
Elevated to Cardinal (1557), Ghislieri remained deeply devoted to the Dominican Rule. His disciplined way of life was not merely personal but influenced and guided his governance of the Church and his flock. His election to the papacy in 1566 occurred at a critical juncture—Europe was engulfed in religious upheaval. The Reformation threatened the very foundations of the Church, England was on the verge of schism, and geopolitical tensions were testing the unity of the Church.
Pope St. Pius V faced these challenges head-on with a rare combination of vigor and visionary leadership. His efforts were not limited to doctrinal defenses or political maneuvers; he reached out to those who had left the faith, offering catechesis that was both compassionate and uncompromising. His sympathy and encouragement extended to figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots, who, isolated and imprisoned, received from him the holy Eucharist—holy communion concealed within a discreet pyx.
Amid all of this turmoil and stress, Pius V showed his strategic brilliance. He helped to promote the burgeoning Jesuit order, foreseeing its crucial role in the Counter-Reformation and the renewal of Christian education and missionary work. His foresight was not limited to spiritual warfare but extended to the literal battlefields. In response to the Turkish threat against Christendom, he instituted the 40 Hours Devotion, a continuous prayer that culminated in the miraculous victory at the Battle of Lepanto. This triumph was not solely a military win but a spiritual victory for the Christian world, significantly attributed to divine intervention.
Perhaps one of his most enduring legacies was his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In a time when the Church needed heavenly intercession, he created the invocation "Mary, Help of Christians." This title not only fortified the faithful during his lifetime, but has continued to inspire confidence in the hearts of millions, providing solace and strength in times of dire need.
Pius V is an example of one who had unwavering faith and a life consumed with taking up his cross for Jesus. From the austere cell of a novice master to the grandeur of the Papal office, he remained a man of deep humility, guided by a profound love for Christ and His Church. His life reminds us that true strength often rises from humble beginnings and that God’s providence guides those who listen to the voice of the Shepherd.
Today, on his feast day, let us ask for his intercession and help. May we follow in his footsteps and face our trials with courage and hope. St. Pius V, pray for us.
Our Lady Help of Christians
Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christian,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you,
your perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth we may love and eternally thank you in heaven.
Today’s Mass Collect
O God, who in your providence raised up Pope Saint Pius the Fifth in your Church that the faith might be safeguarded and more fitting worship be offered to you, grant, through his intercession, that we may participate in your mysteries with lively faith and fruitful charity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.