Born
in 1887 in the small village of Pietrelcina, in southern Italy,
Francesco Forgione entered the Order of Franciscan Capuchins at the age of fifteen and took the name Pio. He was ordained seven years later and
assigned to the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo in his village.
For
fifty years, Padre Pio, as he was known, was a highly sought-after spiritual advisor, confessor, and intercessor whose life was dedicated to
the Eucharist and prayer. People came from all over the world to see him
celebrate Mass and ask for his help.
On
August 5, 1918, Padre Pio received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ on his
body. He would bear these wounds for the next fifty years.
Many
Church officials and doctors examined his wounds.
Some of them thought that he might be faking his wounds.
However, after examining him, almost all were convinced that his
stigmata truly came from God.
Padre
Pio suffered particularly when he celebrated Holy Mass each day.
It was as if he were reliving exactly what Jesus had done on the Cross.
Like Jesus, he would bleed from his wounds. He would always offer
these sufferings for the salvation of the world.
Padre
Pio ate very little and slept even less. All his time was devoted to
prayer, meditation, and the service of God’s people, particularly
listening to their confessions and offering spiritual guidance.
Late
in his life, Padre Pio was able to open a “Home for the Relief of Suffering”
which would address not only people’s physical needs but also their
spiritual needs.
After
a lifetime lived for God, performing good works and even miracles, Padre Pio died on September 23, 1968. So many people believed that
Padre Pio was a saint that the following year, the Capuchin brothers asked
the Church to consider canonizing him. Over the following years, all the
writings and actions of the brother were examined and, in 1983, the official
process was underway.
Padre
Pio was beatified in 1999 by Pope John Paul II and canonized in 2002 by the
same pontiff.
PRAYER
: God, by a singular grace You allowed Your Priest Saint Pio to
participate in the Cross of Your Son and through his ministry You renewed the
marvels of Your mercy. Grant that through his intercession we may be
continuously united to the Passion of Christ and attain the glory of his
Resurrection. Amen.
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