Michael Ghislieri was born in Italy in 1504. His whole life
was always guided by the most perfect maxims of Christian
piety. At the age of fifteen he received the Dominican habit,
and at once became a model of religious perfection. In 1528 he
was ordained priest, and then taught philosophy and theology
for sixteen years. He also filled other important positions in his
Order.
Pope Paul IV in 1556 promoted him to the united Bishoprics
of Nepi and Sutri in the Papal States, and in 1557 the same
Pope created him cardinal, but his humility and other virtues
only became more conspicuous in this exalted position. Pius
IV, who succeeded Paul IV in 1559, moved him to the diocese
of Mondori in Piedmont. At the conclave which was held on
the death of Pius IV, St. Charles Borromeo united the suffrages
in favor of Cardinal Alexandrinus, as Ghislieri was called, and
he became Pope under the title of Pius V in 1566.
His life as Sovereign Pontiff was as exemplary as it had
been while he was a simple Dominican Friar. It was during his
pontificate that the celebrated victory of Lepanto was gained
against the Turks under Don John of Austria. As a result of this
victory he ordered the feast of the Holy Rosary to be observed
on the first Sunday of October. He died in the year after this
victory, on May 1, 1572, and was canonized by Clement XI in
1712.

PRAYER: O God, who for the overthrow of the enemies of Thy
Church and for the restoration of divine worship deigned to choose
Blessed Pius as Supreme Pontiff, grant that we may be defended by
his patronage and so adhere to Thy service, that, overcoming all the
wiles of our enemies, we may rejoice in perpetual peace. Amen.

Lives of the Saints, pages 176-177