Pio Nono

Today the Roman Martyrology lists, among others:

Romae, beati Pii papa Noni, qui, veritatem Christi, cui ab imo adhaesit, plane proclamans, multas instituit sedes episcopales, cultum beatae Mariae Virginis promovit et Concilium Oecumenicum Vaticanum Primum ascivit.

Blessed Pius IX is remembered for his proclamation of the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and Papal Infallibility, the calling of the First Vatican Council, the re-establishment of the English Catholic Hierarchy in 1850 and his sufferings during the Revolution of 1848 and the subsequent Italian Risorgimento.

At the Beatification Mass, John Paul II said:

Listening to the words of the Gospel acclamation: 'Lord, lead me on a straight road', our thoughts naturally turn to the human and religious life of Pope Pius IX, Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti. Amid the turbulent events of his time, he was an example of unconditional fidelity to the immutable deposit of revealed truths. Faithful to the duties of his ministry in every circumstance, he always knew how to give absolute primacy to God and to spiritual values. His lengthy pontificate was not at all easy and he had much to suffer in fulfilling his mission of service to the Gospel. He was much loved, but also hated and slandered.

However, it was precisely in these conflicts that the light of his virtues shone most brightly: these prolonged sufferings tempered his trust in divine Providence, whose sovereign lordship over human events he never doubted. This was the source of Pius IX's deep serenity, even amid the misunderstandings and attacks of so many hostile people. He liked to say to those close to him: 'In human affairs we must be content to do the best we can and then abandon ourselves to Providence, which will heal our human faults and shortcomings'.

Sustained by this deep conviction, he called the First Vatican Ecumenical Council, which clarified with magisterial authority certain questions disputed at the time, and confirmed the harmony of faith and reason. During his moments of trial Pius IX found support in Mary, to whom he was very devoted. In proclaiming the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, he reminded everyone that in the storms of human life the light of Christ shines brightly in the Blessed Virgin and is more powerful than sin and death.

Vultus Christ has a nice post on Pio Nono; there is a good Italian website on him here. It's still not too late to buy a recreated bottle of Pio Nono's aftershave, which I fully recommend. And, finally, here is a picture of his death mask:

Blessed Pius IX, pray for us!