The Institution of the Rosary Window: Detail, Pius V

St. Pius V was an appropriate choice for the Institution of the Rosary window because he promoted devotion to the rosary in thanksgiving for the victory of Christian forces over the Selim II at Lepanto in 1571. The inscription surrounding his portrait appears to be taken from a Latin phrase in his vita in the Divine Office, which says the Pope "crushed him [Selim] not so much by arms as by dint of prayers."1

The Pope is shown pointing to a star because of an account of a meeting he was holding in Rome on the day of victory. He suddenly walked to the window, where he was granted a vision signifying the victorious conclusion of the battle at the very hour when it occured. He immediately informed the others and dismissed them to prepare a celebration.2

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Photographed at the site by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.





































1 Roman Breviary, II, 881.

2 Molé, II, 267. Catholic Encyclopedia, s.v. "Pius V." Roman Breviary, ibid.