ST. PADRE PIO OF PIETRELCINA I PATRON SAINT OF CIVIL DEFENSE WORKER AND ADOLESCENTS

FEAST DAY : SEPTEMBER 23

Perhaps you have heard of the word “Stigmata”? They are wounds or bodily marks that correspond to the wounds of the Crucified Jesus, given usually to saints who enjoyed very high union with Jesus Christ. In the history of the Church, there are only five saints who were gifted with the stigmata. Well, today, we will speak of the life of a famous stigmatist - St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. Padre Pio, whose real name was Francesco Forgione, was born in Pietrelcina, Italy on September 25, 1887. At age five, he became an altar boy. When he was 15, he entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. To finance his studies, his father worked in the United States.

Pio had a fragile health. At 17 he fell ill and suffered from insomnia, fainting spells, migraines, vomiting, and loss of appetite. When he recovered, he was drafted into the army but due to fragile health, he was discharged. He continued his religious formation and was allowed to profess the vows in 1907. On august 10, 1910 he was ordained a priest. The stigmata appeared for the first time in 1910, but it disappeared. Padre Pio was transferred to the Capuchin convent at San Giovanni Rotondo in 1916. In 1918 after celebrating Mass, the wounds reappeared and it stayed permanently until his death.

Padre Pio revealed that his wounds made him suffer as if he was dying on the cross. He walked dragging his feet, his hands ached, but he continued to serve the people. Jesus pierced him also on his side. But he tried to bear them with dignity. He asked Jesus to make the wounds invisible because they caused him much humiliation and embarrassment. The wounds were examined medically, but they could not be healed. In effect, Padre Pio was judged and accused of being a fraud, that he was faking the wounds and putting medicine to maintain them. He was also accused of other misconducts. He was banned by his superiors from saying Mass publicly, from hearing Confession, and from preaching. Besides, the devil was also pestering him by beating him bodily. In the mid 1960’s Pope Paul VI lifted the bans imposed on Padre Pio and dismissed all accusations against him.

People who believed in the sanctity of Padre Pio attested to his spiritual gifts of visions, healing, conversion, prophecy, reading souls, speaking tongues, long fasting, bilocation and levitation. And his wounds exuded a sweet smell. He became popular and many took him as spiritual director and confessor. Because of his desire to help the sick, a small clinic for the poor was opened in 1925 at San Giovanni Rotondo. It was called “Home for the Relief of Suffering.” Big donations started to come and a bigger hospital was built. It was inaugurated on May 5, 1956. Padre Pio was given the task of managing the hospital and since it involved handling money, the Pope dispensed him from the vow of poverty. Padre lived a very busy life making himself available for the people who needed him for spiritual guidance. He spent hours administering the Sacraments and many hours hearing confession.

After celebrating Holy Mass on September 23, 1968, Padre Pio died at the age of 81. Miraculously, his wounds disappeared. He was buried in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie at San Giovanni Rotondo. On June 16, 2002, thirty-four years after his death, he was canonized by St. Pope John Paul II.“St. Padre Pio, help us to learn how to suffer the many trials and difficulties of life.”

Am I easily discouraged by difficulties or do I ask God’s help to carry on?

Morttagua & Redspace