(The statue of St. Pius V in St. Mary Major's Basilica in Rome, where he is buried)

Today is the feast of St. Pope Pius V, the pope of the victory of Lepanto.

When he was dying, "he lay motionless, except for constant kissing of the crucifix. Those nearest him made out the words, alternated with the prayers he was murmuring, 'Lord, increase my pain, but may it please Thee also to increase my patience!' With this heroic act of love, in utmost peace, and features as never before radiant, Pius V died. St. Teresa of Avila, who like St. Pius had the gift of prophecy, seems to have been supernaturally aware in that moment of the Pope's passing and told her nuns to mourn as the Church had just lost her most holy Pastor."

~ Robin Anderson, St. Pius V: A Brief Account of His Life, Times, Virtues and Miracles.