Feast of St Pius V

Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145 YOUr friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom; John 14:27-31

Today in the church we honor the memory and legacy of Pope Pius V.  He was elected in the 16th century to lead the church, a man known for his simplicity and holiness.

He was born a poor Italian family.  Yearning to be a priest from an early age, though not having sufficient means, it seemed his dream would never come to fruition.  Until one day, when two Dominicans (religious priest) showed up and met ANthony and having been impressed with him decided to take him in and educate him.

Eventually Anthony, entered the Dominicans at the age of 14 and took the name Michael, later he was ordained a priest, then a bishop, then chosen to be a cardinal for the church.

At the age of 61, he was chosen to be Pope and he took the name Pius V, at this time he continued to wear his white Dominican habit, from which we have the white Cassock the pope wears even today.


Now you know the rest of the story.

Today we look briefly in to the life of Paul on his missionary journeys.

"They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.  But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city.  On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe."

What is interesting is that Paul definitely took a beating.  He kind of reminds me of Rocky.  He was unafraid of the punch back.  Yet, he got up.  He didn't stay down, nor did he let the opposition deter him from proclaiming the message of truth.

The other interesting note is that the disciples gathered around him.  Only after they gathered around him, I suppose to encourage him and pray over him, was able to find the strength to carry on.

How often do we do this for one another?  How often do we encourage and strengthen those around us who have taken a beating from the world at large?

Then Paul, once strengthen, he went back into the city.  He didn't back away.  He wanted to make sure Christ was proclaimed, the message was heard.

Imagine the look on the faces of those who threw the stones!  Imagine the astonishment!  I bet his reemergence in to the city was a far greater witness then anything he said.

What an example!

As the Psalms reminds us: your friends make known the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

YOu can't keep a good man down.