Canonized: May 22, 1712 by Pope Clement XI 

Born into impoverished Italian nobility. Received an excellent education in piety and holiness, including a scholastic education from a Dominican friar; by the time he was 15, he joined the order. Ordained in 1528. Appointed teacher of philosophy and divinity in Genoa. Traveled for 16 years to various Dominican houses and encouraged a stricter following of the Order's Rule.

 
In 1555, Michael was ordained Bishop of Nepi and Sutri against his will; in 1557 he was elevated to the College of Cardinals. As bishop , Michael worked to lead his flock with words and examples, and served as a continual messenger encouraging personal piety and devotion to God.

Upon his ascension to the papacy, Pius V immediately faced the task of enacting the reforms of the Council of Trent. New seminaries were opened, a new breviary, new missal, and new catechism were published; foundations were established to spread the Faith and preserve the doctrine of the Church. Pope Pius spent much time personally working with the needy. Built hospitals and used the papal treasury to care for the poor. Pope Pius V faced many difficulties in the public forum, both in the implementation of the "Tridentine" reforms and interaction with other heads of state. At the time of his death he was working on an Christian, European alliance to break the power of the Islamic states.