Introduction to Vespers for the Memorial of St. Pius V - Pope. (Feastday April 30)

St. Pius V had complete trust in the Lord. Knowing that the Lord was at his side he made very challenging decisions, such as; he challenged his Cardinals to curb their customary luxurious living, Bishops were required to found diocesan seminaries and to reside in their Sees. The secular clergy, the Religious Orders and even the laity came to feel the Pope's influence in carrying out the decisions of the great Council of Trent, which had brought its session to a close in 1563. Church music and liturgical worship were also reformed.

Going through the psalter of Tuesday week 1 for vespers as a reflection, I realized that the first Psalm-Ps.19(20) is a prayer for a king before he goes for battle and the second Psalm-Ps.20(21) is a thanksgiving for a king's victory. Both these Psalms tells us about the complete trust of a king in God who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. This reminded me that during his reign as Pope, the Turks were attacking Cyprus; Pope Pius V was confident that the allied forces of Venice, Genoa, Spain and the Holy See will win in this battle. He was sure that God will lead them to victory. The Allied forces gained their victory while a great procession of the Rosary Confraternity was passing through the streets of Rome, imploring divine assistance. Pope Pius organized it and in memory of this victory, he instituted the feast of the Holy Rosary and entered this invocation 'Help of Christians' in the Litany of Loreto.

We pray that like Pope Pius V, we too can put our trust in God and confidently be assured that He is with us in all situations.