Publisher's Synopsis
Saint Pius the Fifth, Pope Chapter: I 5 II 11 III 14 IV 19 V 25 VI 30 VII 32 VIII 37 IX 42 X 47 XI 50 XII 52 XIII 56 XIV 61 XV 67 XVI 69 XVII 77 XVIII 83 XIX 89 Saint John of Gorcum, Martyr Chapter: I 93 II 98 III 103 IV 110 V 115 VI 121 VII 127 Blessed Peter Gonzalez, Confessor 131 Blessed Augustine of Nocera, Bishop 150 Blessed Francis de Posadas, Confessor 169 Blessed Benedict the Eleventh, Pope 176 Blessed Simon Ballachi, Lay Brother 188 Blessed Albert of Bergamo, Tertiary 195 Blessed James of Bevagna, Confessor 199 Blessed Ambrose of Sienna, Confessor 214 St Pius the Fifth May 5 Chapter I THE Order of Friar Preachers, founded by Saint Dominic, has drawn recruits from every condition in life. It has attracted to itself young men and maidens, innocent in virginal purity, taught the secrets of penance to thousands of sinners, has drawn into its ranks the learned, who dedicated: their science to the service of God and the ignorant who, desirous of rising to degrees of sanctity, otherwise unattainable, donned the black Scapular of the lay brother, and spent their lives ministering to the bodily and temporal wants of the more learned of the brethren of the Order. And in return, this holy Order, instead of hiding the learning and holiness of its members in an impenetrable seclusion, has given to the world many remarkable examples of science, as well as holiness, in almost every sphere of life. The names of the eminent architects and painters of the Order of Saint Dominic dwell in the memory of every student of history. Philosophers and theologians are as numerous in its annals as the stars in the heavens. Thousands of missionaries have spread the glad tidings of Christ in all lands and to all peoples. Martyrs innumerable have watered the soil with their heart's blood. Where is the land which has not seen the white-robed Dominican searching for souls? And where the country in which they have not died for the faith? How many holy Bishops have been forced from their beloved monasteries by the voice of the Church, which has pressed the mitre on their unwilling brows, as reward for their zeal and learning. And the sons of Saint Dominic have been placed by God on the highest throne in the world, the Chair of Saint Peter. Four Popes have shed lustre on the Dominican Order, while they ruled the Church of God in justice and holiness: Peter of Tarentasia, under the title of Innocent 5th, called Blessed by the annalists of the Order, Nicolas Boccasini, known as Benedict 11th, declared Blessed by the Church, Benedict 13th, a member of the princely family of the Orsini, and Michael Ghislieri, known as Saint Pius the Fifth. The latter was undoubtedly the most remarkable. This great Saint shows us an example of virtues suited for several states of life. He had the austerity of an anchorite, the burning zeal of an apostle, prudential governing powers of a faithful Christian Bishop, the learning of a Cardinal, and that combination of virtues and natural qualities necessary to make him a great and holy Pope. As a Bishop, he never ceased to be a religious. Clothed in the purple of the Roman Cardinalate, he did penance so severe that his rank might be no snare for the humility of his soul; with the tiara on his brow he was as humble as when a novice in his monastery, and yet as bold as a lion when the honor and glory of God called him to defend the Church.
