St. Padre Pio

St. Padre Pio was an Italian priest who was known for his piety and charity, as well as the gift of the stigmata, which has never been explained. St. Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione, on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy. His parents were peasant farmers. He had an older brother and three younger sisters, as well as two other siblings who died in infancy. As a child, he was very religious and by the age of five he reportedly made the decision to dedicate his life to God. Fortunately, his parents were also very religious and they supported his Catholic development. His family attended daily Mass. Francisco served as an altar boy at his local parish. Francisco was known for taking on penances and his mother once scolded him for sleeping on a stone floor. Francisco's community was also supportive. Saint's days were popular celebrations and commonly celebrated in his town.

From his tender age, Francisco had a peculiar ability. He could see guardian angels, spoke with Jesus and the Virgin Mary. This was not something taught to him, but occurred so naturally that he assumed other people could see them too. Although Francisco and his family was very religious, they were also very poor, which required that he work. He spent many years as a child tending to a small flock of sheep owned by his family. Unfortunately, the work meant he was unable to attend school regularly, so he quickly fell behind other kids his age. Francisco was sickly as a child. He suffered an attack of gastroenteritis at age six and when he was ten, he had typhoid fever. In 1897, after three years of schooling, Francisco expressed to his parents that he wanted to become a friar. His parents traveled to a nearby community of monks and asked if Francesco could join them. He was evaluated, despite his young age, and was told that he needed more education before he could join.

To prepare Francesco, his parents decided to hire a private tutor. To pay the cost of the tutor, Francesco's father traveled to America to find work, and sent the money home. At the age of 15, Francisco was finally ready and he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin friars at Morcone. He took the name of "Pio" in honor of Pope Pius I, whose relic he often saw at his local chapel. At the age of 17, Brother Pio became extremely ill and could only digest milk and cheese. He was sent to the mountain for better air, and when this did not work, he was sent home to his family. Amid all this, he continued to study for the priesthood. On one occasion during prayer, a fellow monk astonishingly reported he saw Pio levitate during an episode of ecstasy. Brother Pio became a priest in 1910, but was permitted to remain at home because of his poor health.

In 1915, with World War I afflicting the world, Padre Pio was summoned for military service. He was compelled to leave a tiny community of monks, with whom he was then housed, and drafted into medical service. However, he was so sickly that he was often sent home, only to then be recalled for service. In March 1916, he was finally dismissed because of his poor health. On September 20, Padre Pio was hearing confessions when he felt pain in his hands and feet. He noticed the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, appearing on his hands and feet. The experience was painful. Bleeding occurred. The wounds smelled of roses, and although they continued to weep, they never became infected. Doctors who later examined the stigmata were amazed at their perfectly round shape.

By 1919, word began to spread about Padre Pio's stigmata and people came from far away to examine him. Padre Pio became popular with the people he encountered and soon began to attribute supernatural occurrences to him. For example, he was said to levitate, and able to perform miracles. His popularity became a source of concern for the Church and the Vatican began to restrict his activities to minimize public interaction. Padre Pio himself was uncomfortable with his newfound popularity and the attention he received because of his stigmata. A Church investigation into his stigmata concluded that his condition was not faked.

By 1934, the Vatican began to change its attitude towards Padre Pio and he was again allowed to perform public duties. He could preach, despite never being officially licensed by the Church to do so. Pope Pius XI encouraged people to visit him. In 1947, Fr. Karol Wojtyla visited Padre Pio who prophetically told him he would rise to the highest post in the Church." Fr. Karol Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II in 1978. Padre Pio used his newfound popularity to open a hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo. The facility opened in 1956. Pope Paul VI reviewed the controversies surrounding Padre Pio and dismissed any concerns over his conduct and the authenticity of his stigmata. Padre Pio became internationally famous. He was known for his piety, charity and the quality of his preaching. He famously advised, "Pray, hope and don't worry." He had other illnesses, as well, including cancer which was miraculously healed after just two treatments. Other problems, such as arthritis, which plagued him in his later years, never went away. Padre Pio died on September 23, 1968. His funeral was attended by over 100,000 people. Pope John Paul II recognized Padre Pio as a saint on June 16, 2002. His feast day is September 23. He is the patron of civil defense volunteers, adolescents, and the village of Pietrelcina.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of St. Padre Pio is celebrated on September 23rd, during the autumn season when the Church reflects on the themes of harvest and thanksgiving. This feast is celebrated as a memorial in the Roman Catholic Church, recognizing Padre Pio's importance as a stigmatist and miracle worker, and his powerful example of prayer and trust in God. The feast falls during a time when many people are reflecting on the fruits of their labor and giving thanks for God's blessings, making it an ideal time to remember Padre Pio's message of "Pray, hope and don't worry." The feast provides an opportunity to honor Padre Pio's memory and to reflect on the importance of prayer, trust, and service to others in our own lives.

Traditions and Customs

On the feast day of St. Padre Pio, many people participate in special prayers and devotions to honor his memory and seek his intercession. Churches, particularly those with connections to the Capuchin order or Italian communities, hold special Masses and services. Many people gather to pray for healing and for the strength to trust in God's plan, asking for St. Padre Pio's intercession in helping them to grow in faith and hope. The day is also marked by prayers for those who are suffering from illness or other difficulties, asking for St. Padre Pio's help in bringing them comfort and healing. Many people also take time to reflect on the importance of prayer in their lives and to pray for the grace to trust in God's providence, following Padre Pio's example. The feast is also a time to reflect on how we can incorporate Padre Pio's virtues of prayer, trust, and service to others into our daily lives.

Prayer and Devotion

The feast day is an excellent time to pray for the gift of trust and the ability to surrender our worries to God. Many people make special petitions for healing and for the strength to endure suffering with patience and faith, asking for St. Padre Pio's intercession in helping them to grow in holiness. The day is also a time to reflect on the importance of prayer and to pray for the grace to make prayer a priority in our lives. St. Padre Pio's feast day encourages us to remember that we are all called to be saints and that holiness is achieved through prayer, trust, and complete surrender to God's will. It is also a time to pray for the grace to serve others, particularly the poor and suffering, following Padre Pio's example of charity and compassion. The feast reminds us that God can work through anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, and that the most important thing is to remain faithful to prayer and to trust in God's love and mercy.