Pope Saint Pius V was born Antonio Ghislieri of poor parents near Alessandria on January 17, 1504.  His education began with the Dominicans, and he entered the Dominican order at age 15, taking the name Michael, and became a priest in 1528.

Pope Pius V was a professor of philosophy and theology for years, and served his order and the Church in several high offices:  Provincial Superior; Inquisitor at Corno and Bergamo; Bishop of Sutri and Nepi; cardinal; Grand Inquisitor, Bishop of Mondovi and elected Pope Pius V in a modest ceremony on January 17, 1566, his 62nd birthday,

In 1571 a huge Muslim fleet threatened Christendom. Don Juan of Austria led an outnumbered Christian fleet to fight the Muslim navy. Pope  Pius V entrusted the Christian fleet to Our Lady.

On October 7, 1571, the Christian fleet won a decisive battle in the Bay of Lepanto. Pope Pius V wished to institute a special feast to honor the Blessed Virgin’s assistance in securing the victory and the safety of Christendom. The feast was to be celebrated on October 7,  and Pope Pius V called it the feast day of Our Lady of Victory.

Two years later Pope Gregory XIII changed the name of the feast day to Our Lady of the Rosary as it was through the praying of the rosary that the battle had been won.

October is the month of the Most Holy Rosary. Numerous popes and saints have acclaimed the efficacy of the Rosary.  It is, indeed, a most powerful spiritual weapon. Pope John XXIII called the Rosary “The Psalter of the poor.” Theologians have called the Rosary, “The school of contemplation” because it introduces the faithful to meditative prayer.

Among Pope Pius V’s numerous merits were his fervent Marian devotion and the institution of the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Pope John Paul II endorsed his predecessor in the Chair of Peter and petitioned, “May the apostolic zeal, the constant pursuit of holiness, and the love of the Virgin, which characterized the life of Saint Pius V, stimulate all.”

Pope John Paul II then challenged us to imitate Pope Pius V’s Marian devotion by rediscovering the simple and profound prayer of the rosary. “Thanks to the fervent recitation of the rosary, extraordinary graces can be obtained through the intercession of the Lord’s heavenly Mother.”

Pope Pius V was a great reformer, committed to eradicating simony, the buying or selling of ecclesiastical pardons or offices, and nepotism from the Roman Curia. To numerous relatives who rushed to Rome with the hope of some privilege, Pope Pius V gave comment that a relative of the pope can consider himself sufficiently rich if he is not indigent.

Pope Pius V published the catechism of the Council of Trent and an improved edition of the Missal and Breviary. The Pontiff tried to make Rome truly a holy city and punished immorality severely. The rigid discipline that Pope Pius V imposed on the Church was the constant norm of his own life.

Pope Pius V promoted several pastoral reforms in the wake of the Council of Trent: The obligation of residence for bishops, the cloister of religious, celibacy and holiness of life of priests, bishops’ pastoral visits, the increase of missions, and the correction of liturgical books.

Pope Pius V excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I in 1570, an act which heightened the persecution of Catholics in England, but it also did much to strengthen Catholics.

A man of great austerity and prayer, Pope Pius V died on May 1, 1572.  He suffered much, his prayer was: “Lord increase my pains, but increase my patience too.”

He was canonized in 1712.  On his feast day, May 5, Romans still gather at his shrine to venerate a great pope and a holy man.

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Acts 13:13-25
Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27
John 13:16-20

Acts 13:13-25
(13) And when Paul and those who were with him had sailed from Paphos, they arrived at Perga in Pamphylia. Then John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. (14) Yet truly, they, traveling on from Perga, arrived at Antioch in Pisidia. And upon entering the synagogue on the Sabbath day, they sat down. (15) Then, after the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent to them, saying: “Noble brothers, if there is in you any word of exhortation to the people, speak.” (16) Then Paul, rising up and motioning for silence with his hand, said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen closely. (17) The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people, when they were settlers in the land of Egypt. And with an exalted arm, he led them away from there. (18) And throughout a time of forty years, he endured their behavior in the desert. (19) And by destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he divided their land among them by lot, (20) after about four hundred and fifty years. And after these things, he gave them judges, even until the prophet Samuel. (21) And later on, they petitioned for a king. And God gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. (22) And having removed him, he raised up for them king David. And offering testimony about him, he said, ‘I have found David, the son of Jesse, to be a man according to my own heart, who will accomplish all that I will.’ (23) From his offspring, according to the Promise, God has brought Jesus the Savior to Israel. (24) John was preaching, before the face of his advent, a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. (25) Then, when John completed his course, he was saying: ‘I am not the one you consider me to be. For behold, one arrives after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to loosen.’

Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27
(2) I will sing the mercies of the Lord in eternity. I will announce your truth with my mouth, from generation to generation. (3) For you have said: Mercy will be built in the heavens, unto eternity. Your truth will be prepared there. (21) I have found my servant David. I have anointed him with my holy oil. (22) For my hand will assist him, and my arm will fortify him. (25) And my truth and my mercy will be with him. And his horn will be exalted in my name. (27) He will invoke me: “You are my father, my God, and the support of my salvation.”

John 13:16-20
(16) Amen, amen, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his Lord, and the apostle is not greater than he who sent him. (17) If you understand this, you shall be blessed if you will do it. (18) I am not speaking about all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But this is so that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me shall lift up his heel against me.’ (19) And I tell you this now, before it happens, so that when it has happened, you may believe that I am. (20) Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives anyone whom I send, receives me. And whoever receives me, receives him who sent me.”

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Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!

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The value Saint Catherine of Siena makes central in her short life and which sounds clearly and consistently through her experience is complete surrender to Christ. What is most impressive about her is that she learns to view her surrender to her Lord as a goal to be reached through time.

She was the 23rd child of Jacopo and Lapa Benincasa and grew up as an intelligent, cheerful and intensely religious person. Catherine disappointed her mother by cutting off her hair as a protest against being overly encouraged to improve her appearance in order to attract a husband. Her father ordered her to be left in peace and she was given a room of her own for prayer and meditation.

She entered the Dominican Third Order at 18 and spent the next three years in seclusion, prayer and austerity. Gradually a group of followers gathered around her—men and women, priests and religious. An active public apostolate grew out of her contemplative life. Her letters, mostly for spiritual instruction and encouragement of her followers, began to take more and more note of public affairs. Opposition and slander resulted from her mixing fearlessly with the world and speaking with the candor and authority of one completely committed to Christ. She was cleared of all charges at the Dominican General Chapter of 1374.

Her public influence reached great heights because of her evident holiness, her membership in the Dominican Third Order, and the deep impression she made on the pope. She worked tirelessly for the crusade against the Turks and for peace between Florence and the pope

In 1378, the Great Schism began, splitting the allegiance of Christendom between two, then three, popes and putting even saints on opposing sides. Catherine spent the last two years of her life in Rome, in prayer and pleading on behalf of the cause of Urban VI and the unity of the Church. She offered herself as a victim for the Church in its agony. She died surrounded by her “children.”

Catherine ranks high among the mystics and spiritual writers of the Church. In 1939, she and Francis of Assisi were declared co-patrons of Italy. Paul VI named her and Teresa of Avila doctors of the Church in 1970. Her spiritual testament is found in The Dialogue.

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Acts 12:24-13:5
Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
John 12:44-50

Acts 12:24-13:5
(24) But the word of the Lord was increasing and multiplying. (25) Then Barnabas and Saul, having completed the ministry, returned from Jerusalem, bringing with them John, who was surnamed Mark. (1) Now there were, in the Church at Antioch, prophets and teachers, among whom were Barnabas, and Simon, who was called the Black, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manahen, who was the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (2) Now as they were ministering for the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them: “Separate Saul and Barnabas for me, for the work for which I have selected them.” (3) Then, fasting and praying and imposing their hands upon them, they sent them away. (4) And having been sent by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia. And from there they sailed to Cyprus. (5) And when they had arrived at Salamis, they were preaching the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they also had John in the ministry.

Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
(2) May God have mercy on us and bless us. May he shine his countenance upon us, and may he have mercy on us. (3) So may we know your way upon the earth, your salvation among all nations. (5) May the nations rejoice and exult. For you judge the peoples with equity, and you direct the nations on earth. (6) Let the peoples confess to you, O God. Let all the peoples confess to you. (8) May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him.

John 12:44-50
(44) But Jesus cried out and said: “Whoever believes in me, does not believe in me, but in him who sent me. (45) And whoever sees me, sees him who sent me. (46) I have arrived as a light to the world, so that all who believe in me might not remain in darkness. (47) And if anyone has heard my words and not kept them, I do not judge him. For I did not come so that I may judge the world, but so that I may save the world. (48) Whoever despises me and does not accept my words has one who judges him. The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him on the last day. (49) For I am not speaking from myself, but from the Father who sent me. He gave a commandment to me as to what I should say and how I should speak. (50) And I know that his commandment is eternal life. Therefore, the things that I speak, just as the Father has said to me, so also do I speak.”

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Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!

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Saint Peter Chanel the protomartyr of the South Seas. St. Peter Chanel was born in 1803 at Clet in the diocese of Belley, France. His intelligence and simple piety brought him to the attention of the local priest, Father Trompier, who saw to his elementary education. Entering the diocesan Seminary, Peter won the affection and the esteem of both students and professors. After his ordination he found himself in a rundown country parish and completely revitalized it in the three year span that he remained there.

However, his mind was set on missionary work; so, in 1831, he joined the newly formed Society of Mary (Marists) which concentrated on missionary work at home and abroad. To his dismay, he was appointed to teach at the seminary at Belley and remained there for the next five years, diligently performing his duties.

In 1836, the Society was given the New Hebrides in the Pacific as a field for evangelization, and the jubilant St. Peter was appointed Superior of a little band of missionaries sent to proclaim the Faith to its inhabitants. On reaching their destination after an arduous ten month journey, the band split up and St. Peter went to the Island of Futuna accompanied by a laybrother and an English layman, Thomas Boog.

They were at first well received by the pagans and their king Niuliki who had only recently forbidden canabalism. However, the kings jealousy and fear were aroused when the missionaries learned the language and gained the people’s confidence; he realized the adoption of the Christian Faith would lead to the abolition of some of the prerogatives he enjoyed as both highpriest and sovereign.

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Acts 11:19-26
Psalm 87:1-7
John 10:22-30

Acts 11:19-26
(19) And some of them, having been dispersed by the persecution that had occurred under Stephen, traveled around, even to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the Word to no one, except to Jews only. (20) But some of these men from Cyprus and Cyrene, when they had entered into Antioch, were speaking also to the Greeks, announcing the Lord Jesus. (21) And the hand of the Lord was with them. And a great number believed and were converted to the Lord. (22) Now the news came to the ears of the Church at Jerusalem about these things, and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch. (23) And when he had arrived there and had seen the grace of God, he was gladdened. And he exhorted them all to continue in the Lord with a resolute heart. (24) For he was a good man, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a great multitude was added to the Lord. (25) Then Barnabas set out for Tarsus, so that he might seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. (26) And they were conversing there in the Church for an entire year. And they taught such a great multitude, that it was at Antioch that the disciples were first known by the name of Christian.

Psalm 87:1-7
(1) A Canticle Psalm to the sons of Korah. Its foundations are in the holy mountains: (2) the Lord loves the gates of Zion above all the tabernacles of Jacob. (3) Glorious things are being said of you, O City of God. (4) I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon knowing me. Behold, the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians: these have been there. (5) Will not Zion say that this man and that man were born in her? And the Most High himself has founded her. (6) The Lord will explain, in the writings of peoples and of leaders, about those who have been in her. (7) For so the dwelling place within you is with all rejoicing.

John 10:22-30
(22) Now it was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem, and it was winter. (23) And Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. (24) And so the Jews surrounded him and said to him: “How long will you hold our souls in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (25) Jesus answered them: “I speak to you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in the name of my Father, these offer testimony about me. (26) But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep. (27) My sheep hear my voice. And I know them, and they follow me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall not perish, for eternity. And no one shall seize them from my hand. (29) What my Father gave to me is greater than all, and no one is able to seize from the hand of my Father. (30) I and the Father are one.”

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Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!

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Model and heavenly patroness of domestic servants, born early in the thirteenth century of a poor family at Montsegradi, a little village near Lucca, in Tuscany; died at Lucca, 27 April, 1271.

A naturally happy disposition and the teaching of a virtuous mother, aided by Divine grace, developed in the child’s soul that sweetness and modesty of character and continual and conscientious application to work which constituted her especial virtues. At the age of twelve she entered the service of the Fatinelli family of Lucca. Her piety and the exactitude with which she discharged her domestic duties, in which she regarded herself as serving God rather than man, even supplying the deficiencies of her fellow servants, far from gaining for her their love and esteem and that of her employers rather brought upon her every manner of ill-treatment of both the former and, through their accusations, of the latter. The incessant ill-usage, however, was powerless to deprive her of her inward peace, her love of those who wronged her, and her respect for her employers. By this meek and humble self-restraint she at last succeeded in overcoming the malice of her fellow-servants and her employers, so much so that she was placed in charge of all the affairs of the house.

In her position of command over all the servants she treated all with kindness, not exacting from them any reckoning for the wrongs she had for so many years suffered from them. She was always circumspect, and only severe when there was a question of checking the introduction of vice among the servants. On the other hand, if any of them had been guilty of shortcomings, she took upon herself to excuse or defend them to their employers. Using the ample authority given her by her employers, she was generous in almsgiving, but careful to assist only those really in need. After her death numerous miracles were wrought at her intercession, so that she came to be venerated as a saint in the neighbourhood of Lucca, and the poets Fazio degli Uberti (Dittamonde, III, 6) and Dante (Inferno, XI, 38) both designate the city of Lucca simply as “Santa Zita”. The office in her honour was approved by Leo X.

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