Blessed Pope Pius IX

Also known as

Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti

Memorial

7 February

Profile

Son of Gerolamo Ferretti and Caterina Solazzi, local nobles, the family's ninth child. Frail, intelligent and pious boy who suffered from epilepsy when young. Educated at the Piarist College, Volterra, Italy from 1802 to 1809. Studied in Rome from 1809 to 1810 due to political disturbances in the city. He returned in 1814 and asked for admission to the Papal Noble Guard, but was turned down due to his epilepsy. Studied theology at the Roman Seminary from 1814 to 1818, during which his epilepsy disappeared. Ordained on 10 April 1819 in Rome. Spiritual director of the orphan asylum of Tata Giovanni, Rome. Auditor of the apostolic delegation to Chile from 1823 to 1825. Canon of San Maria in Via Lata, Rome. Director of San Michele hospital in Rome. Chosen archbishop of Spoleto, Italy on 21 May 1827. Named assistant at the Pontifical Throne on 1 June 1827. Archbishop of Imola, Italy on 17 December 1832. Created cardinal on 23 December 1839. Chosen 255th pope in the conclave of 1846.

Last pope to hold temporal power. His election raised the hopes of patriotic and liberal circles of Catholics. One of his first acts was an amnesty for all political prisoners. Defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 8 December 1854. Celebrated the First Vatican Council from 1869 to 1870, which was interrupted by the Franco-Prussian War. This council defined the dogma of papal infallibility. He supported several reforms in the Papal States, which included central Italy, and several outlying areas, such as Assisi, but lost the territory due to the unification of the Kingdom of Italy in 1870 and 1871. Created 123 cardinals. Gained a reputation for being a patriotic, and reforming Pope, and only Saint Peter the Apostle served longer.

Pius IX's cause for beatification was one of the longest and most difficult in Church history. Begun under Pius X on 11 February 1907, re-launched by Benedict XV without much success, later by Pius XI, and then by Pius XII on 7 December 1954. The decree on the heroic exercise of theological and cardinal virtues was finally promulgated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on 6 July 1985, allowing his proclamation as Venerable. Among Pius IX's most outstanding virtues were his unconditional love for the Church, his charity, and his high regard for the priesthood and for missionaries. The miracle attributed to him, verified by the Medical Commission on 15 January 1986, and proclaimed definitive in December 1999, was the inexplicable cure of a French nun.

Born

13 May 1792 in Senigallia, Italy as Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti

Papal Ascension

elected on 16 June 1846; installed on 21 June 1846

Papal Beatifications

1847: Blessed Margaret Colonna
1861: Saint John Leonardi
1867: Blessed John Baptist Machado
1867: Blessed John Baptist Zola
1867: Blessed John Kinsaco
1867: Blessed John Yano
1867: Blessed John Foyamon
1867: Blessed John Maki
1867: Blessed John Cochumbuco
1867: Blessed John Xoun
1867: Blessed John Ivanango
1867: Blessed John Montajana
1867: Blessed Thomas Tsugi

Canonizations

1867: Saint John of Cologne
1867: Saint John of Osterwick
1867: Saint John Soan de Goto
1867: Saint Nicholas Pieck

Died

7 February 1878 in Vatican City of natural causes; buried in the basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le mura, Rome

Beatified

3 September 2000 by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter's Square, Rome

Canonized

pending

Images

Gallery of images of Blessed Pope Pius IX

Additional Information

Catholic Hierarchy
Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, by Salvador Miranda
Edgardo Levi-Mortara's Testimony for Beatification of Pius IX

Writings

Qui Pluribus: On Faith and Religion, 9 November 1846

Praedecessores Nostros: On Aid for Ireland, 25 March 1847

Ubi Primum: On Discipline for Religious, 17 June 1847

Ubi Primum: On The Immaculate Conception, 2 February 1849

Nostis et Nobiscum: On The Church In The Pontifical States, 8 December, 1849

Exultavit Cor Nostrum: On the Effects of the Jubilee, 21 November 1851

Nemo Certe Ignorat: On Discipline for Clergy, 25 March 1852

Probe Noscitis Venerabiles: On the Discipline for Clergy, 17 May 1852

Inter Multiplices: Pleading for Unity of Spirit, 21 March 1853

Neminem Vestrum: On The Persecution Of Armenians, 2 February 1854

Optime Noscitis: On The Proposed Catholic University Of Ireland, 20 March 1854

Ineffabilis Deus: The Immaculate Conception, 8 December 1854

Apostolicae Nostrae Caritatis: Urging Prayers For Peace, 1 August 1854

Optime Noscitis: On Episcopal Meetings, 5 November 1855

Singulari Quidem: On the Church in Austria, 17 March 1856

Cum Nuper: On Care for Clerics, 20 January 1858

Amantissimi Redemptoris: On Priests And The Care Of Souls, 3 May 1858

Cum Sancta Mater Ecclesia: Pleading for Public Prayer, 27 April 1859

Qui Nuper: On Pontifical States, 18 June 1859

Nullis Certe Verbis: On the Need for Civil Sovereignty, 19 January 1860

Amantissimus: On the Care of the Churches, 8 April 1862

Quanto Conficiamur Moerore: On Promotion of False Doctrines, 10 August 1863

Incredibili: On Persecution in New Granada, 17 September 1863

Maximae Quidem: On the Church in Bavaria, 18 August 1864

Quanta Cura: Condemning Current Errors, 8 December 1864

Syllabus of Errors, 8 December 1864

Meridionali Americae: On the Seminary for Native Clergy, 30 September 1865

Levate: On the Afflictions of the Church, 21 October 1867

Respicientes: Protesting the Taking of the Pontifical States, 1 November 1870

Ubi Nos: On Pontifical States, 15 May 1871

Beneficia Dei: On The Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Of His Pontificate, 4 June 1871

Saepe Venerabiles Fratres: On Thanksgiving For Twenty-Five Years Of Pontificate, 5 August 1871

Quae in Patriarchatu: On the Church in Chaldae, 16 November 1872

Quartus Supra: On the Church in Armenia, 6 January 1873

Etsi Multa: On the Church in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland, 21 November 1873

Vix Dum a Nobis: On the Church in Austria, 7 March 1874

Omnem Sollicitudinem: On The Greek-Ruthenian Rite, 13 May 1874

Gravibus Ecclesiae: Proclaiming a Jubilee for 1875, 24 December 1874

Quod Nunquam: On the Church in Prussia, 5 February 1875

Graves ac Diuturnae: On the Church in Switzerland, 23 March 1875

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