St. Padre Pio

Saint of the Month, Saint Padre Pio da Pietrelcina! 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 decided 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. He was known for taking on penances. On one occasion, his mother scolded him for sleeping on a stone floor. Even Francisco's community was 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. At the age of 15, Francisco 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. Afflicted with poor health, Padre Pio continued his studies for the priesthood and was ordained in 1910.

On September 20, Padre Pio was hearing confessions when he felt pain in his hands and feet. He noticed the stigmata, the five 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. When he had to submit to investigations and restrictions in his priestly ministry, he accepted everything with profound humility and resignation. In the face of unjust accusations and calumnies, he remained silent, trusting always in the judgment of God, of his immediate superiors, and of his own conscience. 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.

He habitually practiced mortification to gain the virtue of temperance, in keeping with the Franciscan style. He was temperate in his attitude and lifestyle. He sincerely thought of himself as useless, unworthy of God's gifts, full of weakness and infirmity, and at the same time blessed with divine favors. Amid so much admiration around him, he would say: “I only want to be a poor friar who prays”. When news of this friar made its way around the globe, Padre Pio famously advised those who visited him, “Pray, Hope, and don’t worry.” Worn out by over half a century of intense suffering and constant apostolic activity in San Giovanni Rotondo, Saint Pio was called to his heavenly reward on September 23, 1968. After a public funeral, which attracted over 100,000 mourners, his body was entombed in the crypt of Our Lady of Grace Church. He is the patron saint of adolescents, civil defense volunteers, stress relief, and January blues. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us!

In Christ,

Fr. Luke Fleck