Saint of the Day for April 30: Saint Pius V
Saint Pius V’s Story: this is the pope whose job it was to implement the historic Council of Trent. If we think popes had difficulties in implementing Vatican Council II, Pius V had even greater problems after Trent four centuries earlier
During his papacy (1566-1572), Pius V was faced with the almost overwhelming responsibility of getting a shattered and scattered Church back on its feet.
The family of God had been shaken by corruption, by the Reformation, by the constant threat of Turkish invasion, and by the bloody bickering of the young nation-states.
In 1545, a previous pope convened the Council of Trent in an attempt to deal with all these pressing problems.
Off and on over 18 years, the Fathers of the Church discussed, condemned, affirmed, and decided upon a course of action.
The Council closed in 1563.
Pius V was elected in 1566 and charged with the task of implementing the sweeping reforms called for by the Council
He ordered the founding of seminaries for the proper training of priests.
He published a new missal, a new breviary, a new catechism, and established the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes for the young.
Pius zealously enforced legislation against abuses in the Church
He patiently served the sick and the poor by building hospitals, providing food for the hungry, and giving money customarily used for the papal banquets to poor Roman converts.
His decision to keep wearing his Dominican habit led to the custom–to this day–of the pope wearing a white cassock.
In striving to reform both Church and state, Pius encountered vehement opposition from England’s Queen Elizabeth and the Roman Emperor Maximilian II.
Problems in France and in the Netherlands also hindered Pius’s hopes for a Europe united against the Turks.
Only at the last minute was he able to organize a fleet which won a decisive victory in the Gulf of Lepanto, off Greece, on October 7, 1571.
Pius’ ceaseless papal quest for a renewal of the Church was grounded in his personal life as a Dominican friar.
He spent long hours with his God in prayer, fasted rigorously, deprived himself of many customary papal luxuries, and faithfully observed the spirit of the Dominican Rule that he had professed.
Read Also
Saint Of The Day April 29: Catherine Of Siena, Patroness Of Europe And Italy
Saint Of The Day For April 28: Saint Peter Chanel
Pope Francis Says He Wants To Visit Argentina In 2024
Gospel Of Sunday 23 April: Luke 24, 13-35
Gospel Of Sunday 16 April: John 20, 19-31
Gospel Of Sunday 09 April: John 20, 1-9
Gospel Of Sunday 02 April: Matthew 26, 14-27, 66
Gospel Of Sunday 26 March: John 11, 1-45
Easter 2023, It’s Time For Greetings To Spazio Spadoni: “For All Christians It Represents Rebirth”
Sister Giovanna Chemeli’s Testimony: “Spazio Spadoni… A Space For Me Too!”
From Italy To Benin: Sister Beatrice Presents Spazio Spadoni And The Works Of Mercy
Congo, The Holy Family Sisters’ Five Ponds As A Rehabilitation Of Nutritional Health
Volunteering In Congo? It’s Possible! Sister Jacqueline’s Experience Testifies To This