Michael Ghislieri was born in the town of Bosco, Italy on January 17, 1504. He became a Dominican friar when he was 15. As a simple religious, bishop, and cardinal, he was famous for his intrepid defense of the Church's faith, and for the spotless purity of his own life. In 1566, Cardinal Alessandrino (as he was now know, the name given to him from Alessandria, the nearest city to his birthplace) became Pope Pius V. He was 62 years old. As Pope, he published the Roman Catechism, revised the Roman Breviary and the Roman Missal, and promoted the praying of the Rosary. He also defended the Church from enemy attacks. In 1571, he formed a Holy Alliance against the Turks, who had destroyed the city of Otranto, murdering the archbishop in his cathedral, and killing 800 men, taking women and children as slaves. On October 7, 1571, the allied Christian naval fleet, even though outnumbered, defeated the Turks at Lepanto. Pope Pius V attributed this victory to the intercession of Mary, for the rosary was recited daily on each ship. Also, the Pope had ordered Dominican, Franciscan, and Jesuit religious to embark on each vessel to celebrate daily mass, and to ensure that soldiers and sailors refrained from bad conduct. That is why Pope Pius V decreed October 7 as the Feast of Our Lady of Victories. Pope Gregory XIII transferred this Feast to the first Sunday of October, with the title of the Most Holy Rosary. About 7 months after this victory, on May 1, 1572, Pope Pius V died of natural causes. He was canonized in 1712 by Pope Clement XI, after many miracles were attributed to his intercession. His feast day is April 30.

Saint Pius V