How Pope St. Pius V Saved the Church and Christendom

October is the month of the Holy Rosary. During the month, we might also acknowledge the person known as the Pope of the Rosary, Pope St. Pius V.

In 1517, Martin Luther, a Catholic priest, posted his 95 Theses on the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany.  His Thesis challenged many Church practices and teachings. Within the Catholic world, a tremendous theological revolt ensued. And the revolt quickly spread throughout Europe.

The selling of indulgences, papal authority, and Transubstantiation were the primary focuses of the Luther’s challenges. And the ensuing “revolt” is more commonly known as the Protestant Reformation.

Church Doctrines were Challenged

The Catholic Church did not begin to confront the Reformation seriously until Pope Paul III convened the Council of Trent in 1545.   The confrontation was a mammoth undertaking.  The Reformation challenged virtually all Church doctrines, including the Real Presence and the validity of the sacraments.

The Council finally adjourned in 1563, nearly 18 years after its inception. (A period of 46 years had elapsed since the 95-Theses were posted.)  Even so, the final pronouncements of the Council were yet to be enacted and sealed as doctrinal teaching.

Three years after the Council adjourned, Michael Cardinal Ghislieri was elected pope.  He took the name Pope Pius V.

Pope Pius V was a devout priest who found his strength in Christ crucified. He also held a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His first acts as pontiff were to approve the changes instituted by the Council of Trent and immediately implement the reforms set forth.

The Mass defined as a True Sacrifice

Pope Pius V codified the Tridentine Mass (Latin Mass) as the primary Mass for the Roman Church, and authorized a revised breviary and a new Roman Catechism and Missal. He approved the Council’s teachings that Christ is present in the Consecrated bread and wine. He also approved the Council’s teaching that the Mass is a TRUE sacrifice.

Pius V also approved doctrinal statements on the sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony. And he affirmed church teachings on Purgatory and indulgences.

But soon after, Pius V had more problems to deal with. The Turks of the Ottoman Empire were determined to conquer Europe and Rome.

He was deeply devoted to the Blessed Virgin and the Rosary

Deeply devoted to our Lady, in 1569 Pope Pius V issued the Papal Bull Consueverunt Romani Pontifices (On the Rosary).  The permanent format for the Rosary was set in place.  This is the same format used today.  And this is the same Rosary that our Lady presented to St. Dominic in 1214.

Pope Pius V knew full well that a spiritual war was about to be waged.  The Ottoman Empire was the greatest challenge at the time to the papacy of Pius V and to the Catholic Church.  And Pius V understood the intense desire of these Muslim Turks to conquer the entire Mediterranean area. The Muslim imams had declared jihad, just as they have today.

The Pope unites European nations into the Holy League

Pope Pius called the Catholic nations of Europe together and formed them into the Holy League. Catholics from different countries came together under Pope Pius V’s guidance to fight against the Muslims.

Pope Pius asked all Catholics to pray the Rosary, asking for our Lady’s intercession when the battle ensued.  And so it was that on October 7, 1571, the Battle of Lepanto took place.

As the Pope and thousands of devout Catholics prayed the Rosary, the Battle of Lepanto raged. But under the military leadership of Don Juan of Austria, the Christian fleet won a resounding victory over the more powerful Ottoman Turks. This battle saved Christendom and western civilization.

Following the battle, Pope Pius V declared that from that day on, the day would be called The Feast Day of Our Lady of Victory. Today we call this day The Feast Day of Our Lady of the Rosary.

The papacy of Pope Pius V lasted a mere six years. During his reign, he led the forces of good against the forces of evil.  He literally saved Christianity throughout Europe.  And he gave all credit to our Blessed Mother.  Today, one of the titles she bears is Our Lady of the Rosary.

The Doctrines of Transubstantiation and the Real Presence

As already noted, Pope Pius V set in place the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass , which was unchanged for over 400 years (until Vatican II). He also established the doctrines of Transubstantiation and the Real Presence, restored discipline in seminaries, and republished the Roman Breviary and the Roman Missal.

Pope Pius V was canonized a saint on May 22, 1712, by Pope Clement XI.  Pius V must be so honored to be called the Pope of the Holy Rosary.

Pope St. Pius V please pray for us.