The life of St. Pius the fifth and other saints...

Front matter

TH E Ll FE

OF

Saint

Preface

Seeing that this little book lays no claim to deep research, the author having simply narrated what he found, it would be out of place to tell the sources from whence the lives of the saints in this volume have been drawn. The work of the BoUandists, and several collections of Lives of Dominican saints have been mainly useful in writing this book. Yet it would be unfair not to acknowledge the author's debt to the Comte de Falloux, whose Life of Saint Pius the Fifth has been almost solely made use of in writing the sketch of the life of that saint.

This volume, as also the "Life of Saint Thomas Aquinas," and "Lives of some of the Sons of Saint Dominic," form part of what is intended to be a complete collection of Lives of all the Saints and Blessed of the First Order of Saint Dominic ; written chiefly for the English speaking members of the three Orders, and also for all those who love to read the Lives of the Saints of God.

Index

Saint Pius the Fifth, Pope.

Saixt John of Gorcum, Martyr. Blessed Pinter Gonzalez, Confessor. Blessed Augustine op Nocera, Bishop. Blessed Francis de Posadas, Confessor. Blessed Benedict the Eleventh, Pope. Blessed Simon Ballachi, Lay Brother. Blessed Albert of Berga^io, Tertiary. Blessed James of Beyagna, Confessor. Blessed Ambrose of Sienna, Confessor.

175 203 231 267

285 297 305 327

ST. PIUS THE FIFTH.

ST. PI US THE FIFTH

May $th.

Chapter I

THE Order of Friar Preachers, founded by Saint Dominic, has drawn recruits from every condition in Hfe. 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 histor3^ 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 a 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 injustice and holiness : Peter of Tarentasia, under the title of Innocent 5th, called Blessed by the annalists of the Order, Nicolas Boccasini, known as Benedict nth, 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 monaster}^, and yet as bold as a lion when the honor and glory of God called him to defend the Church.

This great Saint was born January 17th, 1504, at Bosco, a little town near Alexandria, in Piedmont, a province in the north of Italy. His father, Paul Ghislieri, belonged to a family which had once been one of the noble families of the city of Bologna. But in the civil wars of the fifteenth century the Ghislieri lost their wealth, and were banished by a popular sedition. Some fled to Rome, where they adopted the name of Consigliari, but others settled in Bosco, preserving their ancient name. At the end of the 15th century Paul Ghislieri, of Bosco, married Domenica Augeria, and to them, January 17th, 1504, was born a son, whom they named Michael, or according to some authors, Antoninus ; the name of Michael having been given him when he entered the Dominican Order. Paul and his wife were poor, but very virtuous, and gave their son a Christian education.

They implanted principles of virtue and religion in his youthful mind, and by the regularity and holiness of their own lives showed him how to live as a true Christian. Their care and piety were richly rewarded. Michael grew up a pious and modest youth, and very devout, especially to the holy Mother of God. And while he increased in piety he began to show a great aptitude for study.

At the age of twelve he had already learned to desire a happiness higher than that which the enjoyments of life afford, and to long for the quiet contentment and undisturbed peace of the contemplative life. When he first felt attracted to the religious state, he prayed that God might open to him some way of following his attraction. There was no monastery at Bosco, and he was not acquainted with any religious. But one day two Dominicans passed through the town. Michael timidly accosted them, and very soon entered into conversation with them ; and when they found that he had a vocation, they asked him if he would go with them, promising him, if he was thought worthy, that he should enter the novitiate. Michael ran to his parents, full of joy, and kneeling down, prayed them to give their consent and blessing. They readily gave permission, happy to have their child in so holy a state of life. Michael, therefore, accompanied the two

Fathers to Voghera, twenty miles from Bosco, In that monastery he served Mass every morning, and devoted the rest of the day to study, with such good will and so evident a zest, that the fathers took great pleasure in teaching him.

When sufficiently advanced he was sent to Vigevani to receive the habit and begin his novitiate ; and there he made his profession, in the year 15 19, at the age of 15.

When the Father Provincial, who received his vows at profession, asked him by what name he would like to be known in religion, he answered, " Brother Michael of Bosco/' But the Father Provincial answered : '* No one knows Bosco ; in future you will be known as Michael the Alexandrian, because you were born in the neighborhood of Alexandria/' This was the name by which he became known, and when he was created Cardinal he was called Cardinal Alexandrine.

After profession he studied philosophy in the monastery at Bologna, and later on theology — in both distinguishing himself — while at the same time he learned the divine science of prayer and contemplation. He often said that prayer is a powerful means of acquiring knowledge, and that the more the soul is united to God b}^ prayer the more it becomes capable of enriching itself and of enlightening others.

Hardly had he finished his course of philosophy and theology when he was thought capable of teaching. His treatment of theology was what one would look for from a Saint, and one of his biographers (F. John Baptist Feuillet) says that he mingled the thorns of Calvary with the thorns of theology. He was only twenty years old at this time, but such was the opinion formed of him that crowds of students attended his lectures from all parts of Italy.

He was ordained priest at Genoa, being then twenty-four years of age. In his sincere humility he thought himself unworthy to be a priest, and nothing but the authority of the Provincial could induce him to be ordained. Meditating on the fearful responsibilities of a Christian priest, and on the immaculate holiness required of those whose sacred office leads them daily to the altar, there to offer the sacrifice of the holy Mass, and whose lo The Life of St, Pius the Fifth.

duty it is to administer God's holy sacraments, caused him to tremble lest he should be unworthy of an office so high, and with so fearful a responsibility attached to it. When the time of his ordination drew near he begged to remain a simple religious, free from the cares of the priesthood.

But God, who confers the office of priesthood on whom he pleases, fits them for their duties by sacramental graces, and the Father Provincial gently used his authority to command Brother Michael to set aside his fears, and, in holy obedience, to take upon himself that office for which his virtues and natural talents so eminently fitted him.

Chapter II

SOON after his ordination he was sent to the Provincial chapter held at Parma, where he defended some theological theses, or propositions, against the heretical opinions of the Lutherans, at that time beginning to attract attention. He renewed his diligence in study, so that he might be more able to refute these dangerous errors. Nevertheless, his studies did not hinder him from assisting regularly at the divine office in the choir; nor from fulfilling the other pious duties of holy religion. He read some portion of the Life of Saint Dominic every day, in order to model his life on that of the founder of his beloved Order. He practised rigorous mortifications, and often took upon himself some menial duty, in order to acquire a spirit of humility. The time allowed for recreation he spent in charitable deeds, such as consoling the sad and weary, encouraging the feeble, and instructing the ignorant.

The fathers of the monastery, recognizing his virtues, regularity of life, and natural capacities, twice elected him Prior of Vigevani, and he filled the same office in the monasteries of Soncino and Alba. As superior, he showed much firmness, tempered with sweetness, and it was thought a great happiness to live in the communities committed to his charge He had a very remarkable gift of directing souls of an untractable disposition. He often told his community that piety and knowlec|ge are the two breasts from whence religious should draw the milk of devotion, without w^hich the human heart and soul would cease to have an interior unction. " A monk/' he would often say, '' is like a fish, which cannot live out of its natural element.'' And he frequently reminded his religious that just as salt returns to water, its first substance, so a religious, that evangelical salt which God withdraws from the w^orld, resumes its false maxims and evil vices when he re-enters it without sufficient cause.

When he was Prior in Lombardy, w^ar and famine desolated the country. Three hundred soldiers arrived one day at the monastery to pillage it. Father Michael met them without fear and received them as he would receive friendly guests, and by his kindness inspired them with such veneration, that although they remained a whole month in the monastery, they caused no trouble, and the usual monastic discipline and observances were never once interrupted. In fact, many of them went to office in choir, and took their meals with the fathers and brothers in the refectory, listening in deep silence to the brother who, according to monastic custom, read some pious book from a pulpit during meals.

His sermons persuaded many souls to lead a more holy life than is found among ordinary Christians. Among these was the Marquis of Guast, Governor of Milan, who chose him for his director, and made him the distributor of his alms. This duty necessitated a journey of twenty miles, which he always made on foot, carrying his bag on his shoulders, and the Marquis could never persuade him to ride, nor to buy a cloak to keep off the rain. He was very strict with himself and other religious on the observance of the vow of poverty. He maintained that this vow ought to deprive religious of superfluities, and even of necessaries. He always went on foot when he was called to preach in the neighboring towns and villages. He sanctified these journeys by meditating as he walked along, and the beauty which God has so profusely lavished on this earth, drew from him many a fervent act of thanksgiving for his goodness in making the world so fair. When he overtook any one on the way, he entered into conversation with him for a little while, and then he would take his rosary from his belt, and invite his companion to recite the beads with him.

Chapter III

THE new doctrines of Luther, having overrun Switzerland, spread into the northern provinces of Italy. The Cardinals of the Holy Office, after a long and careful deliberation on the best means to preserve the people from these soul-destroying heresies, appointed Father Michael Ghislieri Inquisitor and ordered him to take up his residence at Como.

Probably no beneficial institution has been so calumniated as the Roman Inquisition. Until lately, when its real character has been dispassionately studied by the enemies of the Catholic Church, it was looked upon by Protestants as a bloodthirsty means, unscrupulously made use of, to imprison and murder the enemies of the Catholic religion. Impartial inquiry and calm examination have now shown it to have been a prudent and lawful way of hindering the civil wars and intestine strife which have usually followed the introduction of Protestantism into lands hitherto Catholic.

The Roman Inquisition must not be confounded with the Spanish Inquisition.

The principle on which the Roman Inquisition was based is one common to all religions. It is that heresy, or dissent from the true faith, is a great crime, and that it should be punished as such. Reason teaches that the death of one man is preferable than that thousands should die the death of the soul in consequence of the propagation of heretical doctrines. Universal experience has also taught mankind that the wars which have frequently followed the introduction of heresy into a Catholic country have been among the most terrible known in history, and that therefore it was expedient that some should die rather than many should suffer.

It is difficult to point out the exact date when the Roman Inquisition was founded. In the early centuries of the Christian Church all cases of heresy were tried in secular courts, but in process of time this duty fell into the hands of Bishops, who never punished those who were condemned, but delivered them over to the secular power to receive their deserts.

The spread of the Waldensian and Albigensian heresies, in the i ith and 12th centuries, induced the Popes to take more stringent measures for exterminating heretical doctrines. The Fourth Council of Lateran, held in the year 121 5, may be said to have permanently established the courts of the Roman Inquisition. Gregory 9th gave the care of the Inquisition to the Dominican Fathers in Germany, Arragon, Lombardy, and the south of France. In Spain it became a great power under Cardinal Mendoza, and Ferdinand and Isabella obtained a bull from the Pope authorizing the establishment of the Tribunal of the Inquisition. Thus the famous Spanish Inquisition was from its first commencement more of a royal than ecclesiastical court. The first court was opened in Seville in 1481, and executions became frequent. Many appeals were made to the Popes from the sentences of the Spanish Inquisition, and Rome frequently interfered to moderate its rigor. From the beginning of the 17th century, the Spanish Inquisition became more lenient, and since then it has been occupied chiefly with the examination of books suspected of heresy. It was several times abolished, finally in 1834.

The Roman Inquisition was established for the whole Catholic Church in 1543. It is universally acknowledged that it was the mildest institution of the kind, and has never inflicted the punishment of death. It was to this Inquisition that Father Michael was appointed. No one, therefore, should be surprised that Saint Pius was an Inquisitor. As soon as he arrived at Como he at once began a personal inspection of all the towns placed under his jurisdiction, being hindered by no hardship or fatigue. In the exercise of his office we learn that, although usually so tender hearted, he could become stern and inflexible, when God*s honor and the good of the Church called for vigorous measures.

A book written by one of the most insidious heretics, and printed in thelcastle of Poschiano was sent to an influential merchant, who undertook to circulate it in Modena and Vincenza. Father Michael seized all the copies, but, the Episcopal See of Como, being vacant at the time, the merchant, who had friends in the Cathedral Chapter, obtained permission from the Vicar General to have them returned. Father Michael excommunicated all who had taken part in the matter, and went to Rome to place his conduct before the Cardinals of the Holy Office. They approved of what he had done, and cited the Vicar General and Cathedral Chapter to appear before them in Rome.

When Father Michael returned to Como the canons excited the mob against him, and he was stoned in the streets. He took refuge in the castle of Bernard Odeschalci, but some powerful nobleman continued to persecute him, and the Count della Trinita threatened to throw him into a well. " What God wishes will be done/' was his calm reply.

The Vicar General complained of him to the Governor of Milan, Ferdinand de Gonzaga, representing him as a dangerous man who was attempting to excite sedition by exaggerated zeal, and demanded that he should be hindered from doing any harm. Father Michael deemed it prudent to leave the city, upon which the Governor cited him to appear and answer the charges brought against him. Although Saint Pius was thirty miles from Milan when he received the citation, he set out on foot to return. But being warned that the heretics had laid an ambush for him at the same place where the glorious Dominican Martyr, Saint Peter of Verona, died for the faith, he took another road, and travelling on foot all night, appeared next day at the hour fixed. The Governor received him angrily, and left the audience chamber without saying a word to him. The humble Father patiently received the studied affront, and thanked God for humbling him so publicly. Seeing a gentleman on intimate terms with the Governor, he spoke to him, and begged him to make known to the Governor that he was present. This gentleman quickly returned, and brought back word that he was to be imprisoned ; a threat, however, not carried into execution.

The Life of St, Piits the Fifth. 2 1

Chapter IV

FATHER Michael soon afterwards returned to Rome. He arrived at the monastery of Santa Sabina on Christmas eve, fasting, and fatigued with his long journey. The Prior, who did not know him, thinking from his dusty and way-worn appearance that he had come to Rome for purposes of his own, said to him, in a tone of raillery : ^' Have you come to Rome to see if the Sacred College of Cardinals is disposed to make you Pope?'* '^ I have come to Rome," said the humble Father, " because the interests of the Church call me here. I shall go aw^ay as soon as my task is fulfilled. Till then all I ask is a short hospitality and some fodder for my mule.'' He presented himself the next day before the Cardinals of the Sacred Office. Cardinal John Peter CarafFa, the founder of the Theatines, afterwards Pope Paul 4th, was among them. He had devoted his whole life to the restoration of Catholic discipline and morals. In the person of the humble Dominican friar he at once recognized what a great man stood before him. Having obtained from him a faithful narration of all which had taken place in Lombardy, the Cardinals approved of his conduct, and sent him back to Como, to continue his labors. The nomination of a new Bishop of Como, and the submission of the Vicar General and refractory canons, at length restored peace. But new difficulties arose at Coire, a small town in Switzerland. Two canons disputed the possession of a benefice. Both were of rich and powerfulfamilies. One, named Laplante, was accused of heretical doctrine, and loose morality, but was warmly supported in his claim by influential friends. Father Michael, having heard of this scandalous dispute, determined to put an end to it, and set off for the town. The Catholics warned him that the country through which he would pass was overrun with heresy, and advised him to take off his Dominican habit so that he might not be recognized. " No,'* he answered ; *' when I accepted this office I accepted danger and death at the same time. I could not lose my life in a more glorious cause than by giving it for the faith." Brave words ! revealing the spirit of the martyr ; words justified by all the actions of his life. So he set out for Coire publicly in mid-day, and arrived there safely. He condemned Laplante, and quickly put an end to the scandal.

He next went to Bergamo, where a well-known lawyer, George Medulaco, was steadily propagating Protestant doctrines. He had already been reprimanded. Father Michael Ghislieri, therefore, reproved him, but treated him with kindness and allowed a near kinsman of his, Jerome Albano, to visit him in prison, with the hope of leading him back to the* Catholic faith. Yet the heretic met all his arguments with abuse and refused to listen.

Medulaco was connected by birth with the leading families of Bergamo, who rose up in arms, and liberated him from prison. Father Michael, is no wise daunted, publicly excommunicated them in the principal square of the city, and had the satisfaction of finding that the citizens had still some respect for the laws of the Church, for they took the rescued heretic back to prison; and implored pardon for their crime. Medulaco was sent to Venice, and ended his days in deserved obscurity.

The Bishop of Bergamo, Victor Soranzo, of a noble Venitian family, was also infected with heresy, and incited the senate to seek a quarrel with the intrepid Inquisitor. The Bishop was arrested, taken to Rome, deposed from his See, and imprisoned in the castle of San Angelo.

The important and very trustworthy office of Commissary General of the Inquisition having become vacant, in the year 1551, by the death of the Dominican Father Theophilus de Tropeus, Father Michael was recommended for the vacant office by Cardinal Caraffa, and at once installed. A very intimate friendship sprung up between these holy men. Cardinal Caraffa gave him apartments in his own palace, and ordered his attendants to admit him to his presence, no matter at what hour he presented himself. In this new office he worked with indefatigable zeal. Ev6ry morning he visited the heretics in prison, and by persuasion and Christian charity endeavored to show them the grievousness of their errors. His zeal was crowned with

The Life of St, Phcs the Fifth. 25

success. When any of these misguided men retracted his errors, no kindness was too great for him to show him. He devoted the greater part of the revenues he received from this office to the relief of the poor.

One of the souls he thus rescued from eternal damnation was the famous Sixtus of Siena.

He was born at Siena, in the year 1520, of Jewish parents. He entered the Catholic Church, and according to some authors, became a Franciscan. His knowledge of Greek and Hebrew made him famous, and he taught as well as preached, with great success, in the principal cities of Italy, for ten years. Unhappily he fell into error, for which he was confined in the prisons of the Sacred Office,

But Father Michael could not allow a man so talented and endowed with such a power for good to perish. He earnestly begged God to enlighten him, and to show him the best way to proceed. Fortified with prayer, he sought an interview, and soon led him back to the ways of truth. Sixtus repented, and in the sincerity of his repentance begged to be allowed to do penance for his sins. Father

Michael went at once to the Pope, and did not leave his presence until he had obtained his pardon. Several months afterwards, to his great delight, Sixtus entered the Order of St. Dominic, in which he did severe penance for his sins, and led a very edifying life. His name is well known to Biblical students.

About the same time Father Michael became the friend of another great and famous man : a Franciscan Friar, who became known to the world as Pope Sixtus the Fifth. The way in which these two .souls met is very characteristic of the times, and shows us, as nothing but such an incident can, the spirit of inquiry and doubt prevalent at that period. The Catholic faith was attacked everywhere ; even under the shadow of the dome of Saint Peter's, in the very heart of Christianity.

A young Franciscan, Father Felix Peretti, was preaching a course of sermons in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Rome, in the year 1551. His eloquence drew crowds, and he became so well known that those in perplexity often gave him letters on his way to the pulpit, containing an account of their religious doubts, or the spiritual wants of their soul. He was accustomed to read these letters when he paused for a short time at the end of the different divisions of his sermon. One day he received one on the subject of predestination, ending with these words : *' Thou liest," written in large letters.

This unexpected attack disconcerted him, and he was obliged to shorten his sermon, not to let his embarrassment be noticed. On his return to the monastery he retired into his cell, but hardly had he entered when he saw a Dominican father follow him. This father entered into conversation with him, and interrogated him on his theological opinions, pressing him with subtle arguments, and sounding the depths of his soul, with all the skill and subtlety of a practised theologian. His answers showed him to be firmly attached to all the doctrines of the Catholic faith. Father Michael, for it was he, at length embraced him with joy, saying : *' If you are ever in need of a defender, none but myself shall undertake that duty.'*

Chapter V

POPE Julius the Third died March 23d, 1555. Before entering into solemn conclave, to elect his successor, the Cardinals invested Father Michael Ghislieri with the full exercise of all their powers ; an act unprecedented in the history of the Catholic Church, and one which reveals the influence he had already obtained in the Pontifical Court by his sterling merits and force of natural character.

Marcellus the Second was elected on the fourth day of the Conclave, but died twent}^- two days afterwards. He was succeeded by Cardinal Caraflfa, who had ever shown himself the staunch friend of Father Michael. He was eighty years of age, and took the name of Paul the Fourth.

Not content with retaining Father Michael as Commissary General of the Inquisition, he nominated him Bishop of Nepi and Sutri, two cities near Rome. Father Michael was overcome with grief when he heard of the dignity conferred upon him, and went to beseech the Pope to annul the nomination. He begged him to take away the heavy responsibility thus imposed upon him, and to allow him to live and die a simple Friar. The Pope would not listen, and told him to look upon it as the will of God. Upon which Father Michael only asked permission to be allowed to go to his diocese at once; but it was not until January of 1557 that he was released from his Office as Commissary General of the Inquisition, and allowed to take possession of his diocese in person.

His presence soon became felt. He visited every parish, large and small. A Bishop's presence had never been known in many parishes he visited, and his visitation was a cause of much practical good.

Still he. turned with sincere regret to the quiet of his dearly loved monastery, and implored the Pope to allow him to resign his see, to return to the society of his fellow Dominicans. Paul the 4th, desirous of destroying all such hopes, answered : '•^ I will attach a chain to your feet so strong, that even after my death you will not be able to dream of the cloister," and a short time afterwards he sent for him, to tell him that he was about to make him Cardinal in the next consistory. Some difficulties, however, arose, and he was not raised to that princely dignity until March 15th, 1557. As he felt no joy whatever on being elevated to the Cardinalate, he could not express any gratitude to the Pope, but this was done for him by all the other Cardinals, who, by a spontaneous movement, thanked the Pope for giving them a colleague so worthy.