Pope St. Pius V

Today is the Feast Day of Pope St. Pius V. Best known for his encyclical Quo Primum, well at least to us "Latin Mass Fanatics". (I say Fanatics because it sounds only slightly better than Schismatics).

APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION

QUO PRIMUM

Pope St. Pius V - July 14, 1570

Let all everywhere adopt and observe what has been handed down by the Holy Roman Church, the Mother and Teacher of the other churches, and let Masses not be sung or read according to any other formula than that of this Missal published by Us. This ordinance applies henceforth, now, and forever, throughout all the provinces of the Christian world, to all patriarchs, cathedral churches, collegiate and parish churches, be they secular or religious, both of men and of women - even of military orders - and of churches or chapels without a specific congregation in which conventual Masses are sung aloud in choir or read privately in accord with the rites and customs of the Roman Church. This Missal is to be used by all churches, even by those which in their authorization are made exempt, whethe other manner whatsoever.

Pope St. Pius V was also known as a reformer and enemy of heresies. He excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I and was such an emphatic Inquisitor that he was relieved of his post. This did not stop him from being elevated to the Papal Throne a short time later at the urging of Cardinal Borromeo.

Lepanto:

(from the EWTN library)

On October 7, 1571, a great victory over the mighty Turkish fleet was won by Catholic naval forces primarily from Spain, Venice, and Genoa under the command of Don Juan of Austria. It was the last battle at sea between "oared" ships, which featured the most powerful navy in the world, a Moslem force with between 12,000 to 15,000 Christian slaves as rowers. The patchwork team of Catholic ships was powered by the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Knowing that the Christian forces were at a distinct material disadvantage, the holy pontiff, St. Pope Pius V called for all of Europe to pray the Rosary for victory. We know today that the victory was decisive, prevented the Islamic invasion of Europe, and evidenced the Hand of God working through Our Lady. At the hour of victory, St. Pope Pius V, who was hundreds of miles away at the Vatican, is said to have gotten up from a meeting, went over to a window, and exclaimed with supernatural radiance: "The Christian fleet is victorious!" and shed tears of thanksgiving to God.

Important and interesting fashion fact: up until the time of Pope St. Pius V, the Popes wore red, just like the Cardinals do now. Because Pope Pius was a Dominican he continued to wear a white habit. The practice has continued up until the present time though some of the Pope's accessories may be red- for example papal, camauro and shoes.