St. Pius V, Pope
1504 - 1572
Pope from 1566-1572 and one of the foremost leaders of the Catholic Reformation. Born Antonio Ghislieri in Bosco, Italy, to a poor family, he labored as a shepherd until the age of fourteen and then joined the Dominicans, being ordained in 1528. Called Brother Michele, he studied at Bologna and Genoa, and then taught theology and philosophy for sixteen years before holding the posts of master of novices and prior for several Dominican houses. Named inquisitor for Como and Bergamo, he was so capable in the fulfillment of his office that by 1551, and at the urging of the powerful Cardinal Carafa, he was named by Pope Julius III commissary general of the Inquisition. In 1555, Carafa was elected Pope Paul IV and was responsible for Ghislieri’s swift rise as a bishop of Nepi and Sutri in 1556, cardinal in 1557, and grand inquisitor in 1558. While out of favor for a time under Pope Pius IV who disliked his reputation for excessive zeal, Ghislieri was unanimously elected a pope in succession to Pius on January 7, 1566. As pope, Pius saw his main objective as the continuation of the massive program of reform for the Church, in particular the full implementation of the decrees of the Council of Trent. He published the Roman Catechism, the revised Roman Breviary, and the Roman Missal; he also declared Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church, commanded a new edition of the works of Thomas Aquinas, and created a commission to revise the Vulgate. The decrees of Trent were published throughout all Catholic lands, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the New World, and the pontiff insisted on their strict adherence. In 1571, Pius created the Congregation of the Index to give strength to the Church’s resistance to Protestant and heretical writings, and he used the Inquisition to prevent any Protestant ideas from gaining a foot hold in Italy. In dealing with the threat of the Ottoman Turks who were advancing steadily across the Mediterranean, Pius organized a formidable alliance between Venice and Spain, culminating in the Battle of Lepanto, which was a complete and shattering triumph over the Turks. The day of the victory was declared the Feast Day of Our Lady of Victory in recognition of Our Lady’s intercession in answer to the saying of the Rosary all over Catholic Europe. Pius also spurred the reforms of the Church by example. He insisted upon wearing his coarse Dominican robes, even beneath the magnificent vestments worn by the popes, and was wholeheartedly devoted to the religious life. His reign was blemished only by the continuing oppression of the Inquisition; the often brutal treatment of the Jews of Rome; and the ill advised decision to excommunicate Queen Elizabeth I of England in February 1570, an act which also declared her deposed and which only worsened the plight of English Catholics. These were overshadowed in the view of later generations by his contributions to the Catholic Reformation. Pope Clement beatified him on May 1, 1672, and Pope Clement XI canonized him on May 22, 1712.
Previous Saint
< St. Pius X
Next Saint
Bl. Pius IX >
Rate This Saint
1 - 12 of 12 Comments
Leave a Comment
Previous Saint
< St. Pius X
Next Saint
Bl. Pius IX >
Find Saints
Catholic Online offers the largest searchable database of Catholic Saints on the internet.
| Browse Saints by Alphabet |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
| Patron Saints by Alphabet |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Videos
St. Francis of Assisi 80,839 views View Video
Padre Pio 49,073 views View Video
Black Saints Vol I 31,852 views View Video
Black Saints Vol II 28,100 views View Video
Most Popular
No-one Can Change the Truth About Fatherhood. Love Your Father. Be a Good Father Read More
Fall of the Wall of Silence: More on Pope Francis and Reports of a 'Gay Lobby' in the Roman Curia Read More
Pope Francis Refers to 'gay lobby' inside Vatican Read More
Courageous Cardinal George of Chicago Defends Marriage, Calls for Public Conversion Read More
Why Catholics Have Failed Our Culture: The Bottom Line Read More
Daily Readings
Reading 1, Second Corinthians 11:1-11
I wish you would put up with a little foolishness from me -- ... Read More
Psalm, Psalms 111:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
Alleluia! I give thanks to Yahweh with all my heart, in the ... Read More
Gospel, Matthew 6:7-15
'In your prayers do not babble as the gentiles do, for they ... Read More
Saint of the Day
St. Vincent Kaun
June 20: Martyr of Japan. A native of Korea, he was brought to Japan in ... Read More
Latest Videos
Vatican Museum, Rome - Ceiling and Wall Artwork View Video
Flooding prevents pilgrims from reaching Catholic shrine View Video
Credo Series - Episode 7 View Video
Credo Series - Episode 8 View Video
About 200 people evacuated from the Lourdes Shrine, as floods hit Southern France View Video
Marketplace
Favorite Prayers To Our Lady
This inspiring prayer book contains the most beautiful Marian prayers ... Read More
Baptism Gifts For Girls
Unique, personalized baptism gift for girls. Framed 5x7 print is ... Read More
Pope St. Pius V, please pray for me to be imbued with a strong will that shall be obedient to God and do everything to the glory of God, as you ever did.
Dear Pope Saint,
Kindly pray for Pope Francis to fight ruthlessly, with the sword of Spirit protected by the shield of Faith, against the modern heretics who relentlessly promote and advance heretic views like abortion, contraception and same sex marriage. Endow him with wisdom and love to take them on as you did when you were Pope Pius V. Let The One True Faith flourish under his care and guidance. Grant him peace of mind, and healthy body to spread the Good News to every nook and corner of the Earth. Bless all the clergy and religious, especially Michael Vorish that they proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven more gloriously and bravely. Amen.
Please pray forGwen, Michelle, Jacob and all cancer patients especially the children. Dear Lord, thank you for making me cancer free.
happy feast day Pope Pius V, thank you for being a friend to my mom and i
I can't tell you how much I enjoy reading the "Saint of the Day". My only wish is that it is stated what they are the patron Saint of as well as a what the prayer is for them.
It is terribly wrong to say St. Pius V was ill advised on the excommunication of Elizabeth 1, for the reason that it pertained to keeping out freemasonry, proved today with Elizabeth 2 as the Queen of Freemasonry, For Freemasonry the Arch enemy of the Catholic Church is the latter day manifestation of the "Enmity" that God put between the serpent & the Woman, the freemasonry in all its deceit, for it was by deceit that the serpent beguiled Eve, come against Christ, against salvation.
Dear Pope St. Pius V, Please pray for me.
St. Pius V, Pope, ora pro nobis!
Pray that we have unwavering zeal for the furtherance of Holy Church!
Pray that we defend Her and all that is holy!
Pray that we defend the most helpless innocents of our day, the unborn who are in danger of abortion!
Give us the zeal and grace to desire it, that we can defend them on the front lines or in our daily prayers, like Catholic Warriors, for the greater glory of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
Amen! Our God is not dead! He is alive!
We are called to holiness too!
Arise children of God!
Lisa
Dear St. Pius V, valiant soldier of Christ and beloved of Mother Mary, pray for us on your feast day. God raised you from being a humble shepherd in your youth to becoming pope. What an unexpected rise to importance and power. God's ways for us are not easily visible. Pray for us ordinary people to rise to whatever God calls us to be, however humble or high, we don't know. Dear Pope St. Pius V implore Mother Mary to fight our spiritual battles for us. Santa Maria della Victoria, I have worshiped in your most amazing church in Venti Settembre, Rome. I heard and read about the victory that you granted at Lepanto to the Catholic army against the Ottoman Turks. I recall my times in your beloved church. I also recall my visit to the Sistine chapel of Santa Maria Maggiore, where lies the incorrupt remains of Pope Paul V. Pray for us dear saint...for a miraculous cure for all suffering children and the bedridden. Grant me wisdom, discernment, and understanding. Give me great graces. Amen.
This saintly pope noted for his zeal to defend the church, led an austere life, wearing coarse garments under his papal attire! A novel example for all of us to emulate.
We are looking for a book on St. Pius V. Are there any available?
Thanks.
This saint was so brave and faithful! there is so much that the average catholic doesn't know about the early origins of our great church. I will be researching more historical facts because of this article and other articles that I have read here.