From Dom Guéranger's The Liturgical Year.
WE have already met with the names of several Pontiffs on the Paschal Calendar. They form a brilliant constellation around our Risen Jesus, who, during the period between his Resurrection and Ascension, gave to Peter, their predecessor, the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Anicetus, Soter, Caius, Cletus and Marcellinus, held in their hands the palm of martyrdom: Leo was the only one who did not shed his blood in the cause of his divine Master. To-day there comes before us a holy Pope who governed the Church in these latter times; he is worthy to stand amidst the Easter group of Pontiffs. Like Leo, Pius V was zealous in combating heresy; like Leo, he saved his people from the barbarian yoke.
The whole life of Pius V was a combat. His pontificate fell during those troubled times when Protestantism was leading whole countries into apostasy. Italy was not a prey that could be taken by violence: artifice was therefore used, in order to undermine the Apostolic See and thus develop the whole Christian world in the darkness of heresy. Pius defended the Peninsula with untiring devotedness from the danger that threatened her. Even before he was raised to the Papal Throne he frequently exposed his life by his zeal in opposing the preaching of false doctrines. Like Peter the Martyr, he braved every danger and was the dread of the emissaries of heresy. When seated on the Chair of Peter, he kept the innovators in check by fear, roused the sovereigns of Italy to energy and by measures of moderate severity drove back beyond the Alps the torrent that would have swept Christianity from Europe had not the Southern States thus opposed it. From that time forward, Protestantism has never made any further progress: it has been wearing itself out by doctrinal anarchy. We repeat it: this heresy would have laid all Europe waste, had it not been for the vigilance of the pastor who animated the defenders of truth to resist it where it already existed, and who set himself as a wall of brass against its invasion in the country where he himself was the master.
Another enemy, taking advantage of the confusion caused in the West by Protestantism, organized an expedition against Europe. Italy was to be its first prey. The Ottoman fleet started from the Bosphorus. This again would have meant the ruin of Christendom but for the energy of the Roman Pontiff, our Saint. He gave the alarm, and called the Christian Princes to arms. Germany and France, tom by domestic factions that had been caused by heresy, turned a deaf ear to the call. Spain alone, together with Venice and the little Papal fleet, answered the summons of the Pontiff. The Cross and Crescent were soon face to face in the Gulf of Lepanto. The prayers of Pius V decided the victory in favour of the Christians, whose forces were much inferior to those of the Turks. We shall return to this important event when we come to the Feast of the Rosary in October. But we cannot omit to mention to-day the prediction uttered by the holy Pope, on the evening of the great day of October 7, 1571. The battle between the Christian and Turkish fleets lasted from six o'clock in the morning till late in the afternoon. Towards evening, the Pontiff suddenly looked up towards heaven, and gazed upon it in silence for a few seconds. Then turning to his attendants, he exclaimed: ' Let us give thanks to God! The Christians have gained the victory!' The news soon arrived at Rome; and thus, Europe once more owed her salvation to a Pope! The defeat at Lepanto was a blow from which the Ottoman Empire has never recovered: its fall dates from that glorious day.
The zeal of this holy Pope for the reformation of Christian morals, his establishment of the observance of the laws of discipline prescribed by the Council of Trent and his publication of the new Breviary and Missal have made his six years' pontificate to be one of the richest periods of the Church’s history. Protestants themselves have frequently expressed their admiration of this vigorous opponent of the so-called Reformation.
‘I am surprised,’ said Bacon, ‘that the Church of Rome has not yet canonized this great man.’ Pius V did not receive this honour till about a hundred and thirty years after his death; so impartial is the Church, when she has to adjudicate this highest of earthly honours even to her most revered Pastors!
Of the many miracles which attested the merits of this holy Pontiff, even during his life, we select the two following: As he was one day crossing the Vatican piazza, which is on the site of the ancient Circus of Nero, he was overcome with a sentiment of enthusiasm for the glory and courage of the martyrs who had suffered on that very spot in the first persecution. Stooping down, he took up a handful of dust from the hallowed ground which had been trodden by so many generations of the Christian people since the peace of Constantine. He put the dust into a cloth which the Ambassador of Poland, who was with him, held out to receive it. When the Ambassador opened the cloth, after returning to his house, he found it all saturated with blood, as fresh as though it had been that moment shed: the dust had disappeared. The faith of the Pontiff had evoked the blood of the martyrs, which thus gave testimony against the heretics that the Roman Church, in the sixteenth century, was identically the same as that for which those brave heroes and heroines laid down their lives in the days of Nero.
The heretics attempted more than once to destroy a life which baffled all their hopes of perverting the faith of Italy. By a base and sacrilegious stratagem, aided by treachery, they put a deadly poison on the feet of the crucifix which the Saint kept in his Oratory, and which he was frequently seen to kiss with great devotion. In the fervour of prayer, Pius was about to give this mark of love to the image of his crucified Master, when suddenly the feet of the crucifix detached themselves from the Cross and eluded the proffered kiss of the venerable old man. The Pontiff at once saw through the plot whereby his enemies would fain have turned the life-giving Tree into an instrument of death.
In order to encourage the faithful to follow the sacred Liturgy, we will select another interesting example from the life of this great Saint. When, lying on his bed of death, and just before breathing his last, he took a parting look at the Church on earth, which he was leaving for that of heaven, he wished to make a final prayer for the flock which he knew was surrounded by danger; he therefore recited, but with a voice that was scarcely audible, the following stanza of the Paschal hymn: ‘We beseech thee, O Creator of all things! that in these days of Paschal joy, thou defend thy people from every assault of death!’[1]
Let us now read the eulogy of this saintly Pope of modern times, as given in the divine Office:
Pius in oppido Insubriæ, quod Boscum vocant, natus, sed e Bononia oriundus ex nobili Ghislerioram familia, cum quatuordecim esset annorum, Ordinem Prædicatorum ingressus est. Erat in eo admirabilis patientia, profunda humilitas, summa vitæ austeritas, continuum orationis Studium, et regularis observantiæ, ac divini honoris ardentissima zelus. Philosophiæ vero, ac Theologise incumbens, adeo in iis excelluit, ut illas docendi munus magna cum laude per multos annos exercuerit. Sacras conciones pluribus in locis cum ingenti auditorum fructu habuit. Inquisitionis officium inviolabili animi fortitudine diu sustinuit, multasque civitates, non sine vitæ discrimine, ab hæresi tunc grassante immunes servavit.
A Paulo Quarto, cui ob eximias virtutes charissimus erat, ad Nepesinum et Sutrinum Episcopatum promotus, et post biennium, inter RomanæEcclesiæ Presbyteros Cardinales adscriptus fuit. Tum ad Ecdesiam Montis Regalis in Subalpinis a Pio Quarto translatus, cum plures in eam abusus irrepsisse cog novisset, totam diœcesim lustra vit; rebusque compositis, Romam reversus, gravissimis expediendis negotiis applicatus, quod justum erat apostolica libertate et constantia decemebat. Mortuo autem Pio, præter omnium exspectationem electus. Pontifex, nihil in vitæ ratione, excepto exteriori habitu, immutavit. Fuit in eo religionis propagandæ perpetuum studium, in Ecclesiastica disciplina restituenda indefessus labor, in extirpandis erroribus assidua vigilantia, in sublevandis egentium necessita'tibus indeficiens beneficentia, in Sedis Apostolicæ juribus vindicandis robur invictum.
Selimum Turcarum tyrannum multis el a turn victoriis, ingenti comparata classe, ad Echinades insulas, non tam armis quam fusis ad Deum precibus devicit. Quam victoriam ea ipsa hora qua obtenta fuit, Deo revelante, cognovit, suisque familiaribus indicavit. Dum vero novam in ipsos Turcas expeditionem moliretur, in gravem morbum incidit; et acerbissimis doloribus patientissime tolera tis, ad extrema deveniens, cum Sacramenta de more suscepisset, animam Deo placidissime reddidit, anno millesimo quingentesimo septuagesimo secundo, setatis suae sexagesimo octavo; cumsedisset annos sex, menses tres, dies viginti quatuor. Corpus ejus in Basilica sanctæ Mariae ad Præsepe summa fidelium veneratione colitur, multis a Deo ejus intercessione patratis miraculis. Quibus rite probatis, a Clemente Undecimo, Pontífice Maximo, Sanctorum numero adscriptus est.
Pius was born at Bosco, a town in Lombardy, though his parents were the Ghisleri, a noble family at Bologna. He entered the Order of the Friars Preachers when he was fourteen years of age. He was remarkable for his patience, deep humility, great mortifications, love of prayer and religious discipline, and most ardent zeal for God's honour. He applied himself to the study of Philosophy and Theology, and with so much success that for many years he taught them in a manner that gained him universal praise. He preached the word of God in many places and produced much fruit. For a long period he held with dauntless courage the office of Inquisitor; and at the risk of his life preserved many cities from the then prevalent heresy.
Paul the Fourth, who esteemed and loved him on account of his great virtues, made him bishop of Nepi and Sutri, and two years later numbered him among the Cardinal Priests of the Roman Church. He was translated to the Church of Mondovi in Piedmont by Pius the Fourth, and finding that many abuses had crept in, made a visitation of the whole diocese. Having put all things in order, he returned to Rome, where he was entrusted with matters of the gravest importance; all of which he transacted with an apostolic impartiality and firmness. At the death of Pius the Fourth, he was, contrary to everyone’s expectation, chosen Pope. With the exception of his outward garb, he changed nothing of his manner of life. He showed great virtue in his unremitting zeal for the propagation of the Faith, untiring efforts for the restoration of ecclesiastical discipline, assiduous vigilance in extirpating error, unfailing charity in relieving the necessities of the poor, and invincible courage in vindicating the rights of the Apostolic See.
A powerful fleet having been equipped at Lepanto against Selim, the sultan of the Turks, who was flushed with the many victories he had gained, the Pontiff won the battle, not so much by arms as by prayers. By divine revelation he knew of the victory the moment it was won, and announced it to his household. Whilst engaged in preparing a new expedition against the Turks, he fell dangerously ill. He suffered the most excruciating pains with exceeding great patience. When his last hour approached, he received the sacraments, according to the Christian practice, and most calmly breathed forth his soul into God's hands in the year 1572, and in the sixtyeighth year of his age, after a pontificate of six years, three months, and twenty-four days. His body is honoured by the devout veneration of the faithful; it lies in the Church of Saint Mary Major. Through his intercession, many miracles have been wrought by God; which being authentically proved, he was canonized by Pope Clement the Eleventh.
St Pius is one of the leading glories of the Dominican Order. We find the following Responsories and Hymns in the Breviary of that Order:
Responsories
℟. Dum novus hic Moyses in colle pansis manibus Deum precabatur, ad Naupactum Amalec Israeli perfidus mari profliga tur:
* Partaque victoria Pio revelatur. Alleluia.
℣. Dum extendit virgam Rosarii, demerguntur hostes nefarii.
* Partaque victoria Pio revelatur. Alleluia.
℟. Ad ceram Agni candidi, a Pio benedicti, captant salutem languidi: resiliunt piroboli:
* Sclopos evadunt icti. Alleluia.
℣. Dat farinis incrementa, sedat ignium tormenta: tranquillantur maria.
* Sclopos evadunt icti. Alleluia.
℟. Priscos agones martyrum ostentans Romanorum, ingens edit miraculum:
* In turba populorum. Alleluia.
℣. Oratori Christiano dans e campo Vaticano cruentatos pulveres.
* In turba populorum. Alleluia.
℟. Christi plantas osculari fixas cruci gestiit; sed provita sui chari pedes ista retrahit:
* Toxico imbutis dari oscula prohibuit. Alleluia.
℣. Absit mihi gloriari, absit oscula venari, nisi in cruce Domini:
* Toxico imbutis dari oscula prohibuit. Alleluia.
℟. Whilst this new Moses was praying to God on the mount, with hands extended, the perfidious Amalec, Israel's foe, was put to flight in the gulf of Lepanto,
* And the victory was revealed to Pius. Alleluia.
℣. Whilst he stretched forth the rod of the Rosary, the wicked enemies were drowned in the sea.
* And the victory was revealed to Pius. Alleluia.
℟. The white waxen Lambs, that were blessed by Pius, gave health to the sick: the bullets that were fired, rebounded:
* They that were shot at, escaped injury. Alleluia.
℣. They multiplied flour, they quenched fire, they calmed the sea:
* They that were shot at, escaped, injury. Alleluia.
℟. To show the ancient combats of the martyrs of Rome, he works a great miracle:
* Before a crowd of people. Alleluia.
℣. He gives to a Christian Ambassador some dust impregnated with blood, which he took up from the ground of the Vatican:
* Before a crowd of people. Alleluia.
℟. He wished to kiss the feet of Christ fastened to the cross; but the feet withdrew, that the life of Christ's dear servant might be saved:
* They were covered with poison and would not receive his kiss. Alleluia.
℣. God forbid that I should glory, God forbid that I should seek to imprint my kisses, save on the Cross of my Lord.
* They were covered with poison and would not receive his kiss. Alleluia.
Hymn
Pio beato jubilos
Canora pangant organa:
Nimbosque pellant nubilos
Sacræ diei gaudia.
Hic Michael certamine
Fregit draconis impetum:
Piique sumpto nomine,
Hostem repressit impium.
Ecclesiæ pericula
Umbone firmo depulit:
Sectariorum spicula
Mucrone forti messuit.
Zelosus iste Phinees
Sacris stetit pro mcenibus,
Ut barbaros acinaces
Arceret a fidelibus.
Hic disciplinam moribus
Cura revexit sedula:
Et impiis erroribus
Objecit hic repagula.
Pii talenta largitas
Non vinxit in sudario
Necessitates publicas
Toto juvans ærario.
Pater benignus pauperum
Manus habens tomatiles,
Pavit greges famelicos
Effusione munerum.
Quæsumus auctor omnium,
In hoc paschali gaudio,
Ab omni mortis impetu
Tuum defende populum.
Amen.
Let our sweet organs
give forth their glad sound in honour of blessed Pius!
Let the joys of this sacred day
dispel all stormy clouds.
His name in baptism was Michael
and he conquered the devil in battle:
he took the name of Pius
and repressed the impious foe.
He was the firm shield
against the dangers that attacked the Church:
he was the strong sword
that mowed down the ranks of the heretics.
He was the zealous Phinees
who stood for the defence of the Holy City,
that he might protect the faithful
from the scimitar of the Turks.
His strenuous care
redisciplined morals;
and to impious errors
he opposed a barrier of restraint.
Pius had too generous a heart
to hide his wealth in a napkin;
he threw open his whole treasury,
that he might relieve the necessities of his people.
Kind father of the poor,
with his hands ever pouring forth charity,
he fed and amply provided for his subjects
when suffering famine.
We beseech thee, O Creator of all things!
that in these days of Paschal joy
thou defend thy people
from every assault of death.
Amen.
The following hymn is placed near the tomb of our Saint, in the Church of Saint Mary Major, for the use of those who visit his shrine:
Hymn
Belli tumultus ingruit,
Cultus Dei contemnitur:
Ultrixque culpam persequens,
Jam poena terris imminet.
Quem nos, in hoc discrimine,
Cœlestium de sedibus
Præsentiorem vindicem,
Quam te, Pie, invocabimus?
Nemo, beate Pontifex,
Intensiore robore
Quam tu, superni numinis
Promovit in terris decus;
Ausisve fortioribus
Avertit a cervicibus,
Quod christianis gentibus
Jugum parabant barbari.
Majora qui cœlo potes,
Tu supplices nunc aspice:
Tu civium discordias
Compesce et iras hostium.
Precante te, pax aurea
Terras revisat, ut
Deo Tuti queamus reddere
Mox lætiora cantica.
Tibi, beata Trinitas,
Uni Deo sit gloria,
Laus et potestas omnia
Per sæculorum sæcula.
Amen.
The scourge of war is on us,
for the worship of God is despised:
the chastisement that avenges guilt
is menacing our earth.
In this peril,
which of the heavenly citizens
can we better invoke
in our defence than thee, O Pius?
O blessed Pontiff!
no mortal ever laboured
with such zealous vigour
to promote God's glory on earth as thou didst;
No mortal ever struggled, as thou didst,
to free Christian lands from the yoke
which barbarians were seeking
to put upon them.
Thy power is greater now
that thou art in heaven:
look upon us thy clients!
Restrain civil discord and repel our enemies.
May thy prayers bring golden peace upon the earth;
that in calm security
we may sing our canticles to God
with a gladder heart.
To thee, O Blessed Trinity,
one God, be glory,
praise and power, for ever
and ever.
Amen.
Pontiff of the living God! thou wast, whilst on earth, the pillar of iron and wall of brass, spoken of by the prophet.[2] Thine unflinching firmness preserved the flock entrusted to thee from the violence arid snares of its many enemies. Far from desponding at the sight of the dangers thou didst redouble thy courage just as men raise the embankments higher when they see the torrent swell. By thee was the spread of heresy checked; by thee was the Mussulman invasion repelled, and the haughty Crescent humbled. God honoured thee by choosing thee as the avenger of his glory and the deliverer of the Christian people: receive our thanks and the homage of our humble praise! By thee were repaired the injuries .done to the Church during a period of unusual trial. The true reform—the reform that is wrought by authority—was vigorously applied by thy strong and holy hand. To thee is due the restoration of the Divine Service by the publication of the books of holy Liturgy. And all these glorious deeds were done in the six short years of thy laborious pontificate!
Hear now the prayers addressed to thee by the Church Militant, whose destinies were once in thy hands. When dying, thou didst beseech our Risen Jesus to grant her protection against the dangers which were then threatening her: oh! see the state to which licentious error has now reduced almost the whole Christian world! The Church has nothing left to her wherewith to make head against her countless enemies, save the promises of her divine Founder; all visible support is withdrawn from her; she has been deprived of everything except the merit of suffering and the power of prayer. Unite, O holy Pontiff, thy prayers to hers, and show how unchanged is thy love of the flock of Christ. Protect in Rome the Chair of thy successor attacked by open violence and astute hypocrisy. Princes and peoples seem to have conspired against God and his Christ: disconcert the schemes of sacrilegious ambition, and the plots of impiety which would fain give the lie to the word of God. Avert, by thine intercession, the scourges which are threatening those nations that have become ungrateful to the Church and indifferent to the attempts made against her to whom they owe all they possess. Pray that the blind may see and the wicked be confounded. Pray that the True Faith may enlighten those numberless souls that call error truth and darkness light.
In the midst of this dark and menacing night, thine eyes, O holy Pontiff, discern them that are the faithful sheep of Christ: bless them, aid them, increase their number. Graft them on the venerable Tree which dieth not, that they may not be carried away by the storm. Obtain for them docility to the Faith and traditions of Holy Church; it is their only stay amidst the tide of error
which is now threatening to deluge the whole world. Preserve to the Church the holy Order in which thou wast trained for the high mission destined for thee; maintain within her that race of men, powerful in work and word, zealous for the faith and sanctification of souls, of which we read in her Annals, and which has yielded saints such as thyself. And lastly, O Pius, remember that thou wast once the Father of the faithful: continue to be so, by thy powerful intercession, till the number of the elect be filled up!
[1] The Stanza recited by the dying Pontiff was, in the Breviary of his time, as follows: Quæsumus, Auctor omnium, In hoc Paschali gaudio, Ab omni mortis impetus Tuum defende populum. When the hymns were corrected under the pontificate of Urban the Eighth, this stanza was totally changed: Ut sis perenne mentibus, etc. [The Monastic Breviary has retained the original.—Tr.]
[2] Jer. i 18.