*_February 7th ~ Blessed Pius IX, Pope; Memorial_* Giovanni Maria Mastai was born at Senigaglia in the Pontifical States on May 13 1792. He began his studies at the college of the Scolopians of Volterra, but had to interrupt his studies because of illness. From 1809 to 1814, he lived at loose ends at home, then went to Rome where he came into contact with apostolic men like Vincent Palloti, Gaspard Del Bufalo and the Jesuits. He decided to become a priest. While keeping himself busy running a hospice, he followed courses being given at the Roman College and was ordained to the priesthood on April 10, 1819. Having little attraction for bureaucratic life in the Curia, he turned towards an apostolate with the people at large. In 1823-1825, he accompanied pontifical delegate Muzi to Chile. Appointed bishop of Spoleto in 1827, he was transferred on December 17, 1832 to the see of Imola.