One of the most frustrating things we can experience is when people question our truthfulness. We spend so much time trying to build up a good reputation, yet sometimes it only takes one accusation to raise doubt. Once that doubt is introduced, it seems we must work twice as hard to defend and clear our good name. That was what Padre Pio had to endure when he received the stigmata. To make matters worse, he did not even want to share it with the public that he had the wounds of Christ because he preferred to suffer in silence. Even though he was in constant pain and suffering, he would often advise people to: "Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry".
Born on May 25, 1887 as Francesco Forgione, Padre Pio grew up in a family of farmers in Pietrelcina, Italy. His family were very devout Catholics and it influenced the young Francesco to declare that he would dedicate his life to God at the age of 5 years old. However, the family was also very poor and Francesco had help with the farm at a very young age which meant that he missed class frequently and fell behind the other kids. Even though Francesco's parents and grandparents were illiterate, they would narrate the Bible stories they memorized to their children. Not only was his faith nurtured by his family, but the town he lived in celebrated the feast days of saints throughout the year. Even though he lived a modest life, it was filled with community and joy.
Francesco knew he was called to religious life after three years of school. He was taken to the local friary and it was recommended that he become more educated before joining. His father emigrated to the United States to find work so they could afford a private tutor for him. Finally, at the age of 15, Francesco joined the Capuchins and took on the name Pio in honor of Pope Pius I, whose relic he saw often when he would pray at his local chapel. His path to the priesthood would not be any easier as he became so ill at one point that he could only digest milk and cheese. Yet, he still persevered in his studies.
Padre Pio was called into military service in 1915 as World War I began, however, he was quickly dismissed due to his failing health. He was sent back to his community where he ministered to them as best as his body would allow him to. About three years later after mass, Padre Pio suddenly experienced a vision of Jesus. When it had finished, the wounds of Jesus appeared on his hands, side, and feet. The stigmata was painful, but for some strange reason it smelled of roses! He was a private man so he would try to cover his hands with bandages and mittens preferring to suffer in silence, however, word began to spread about this miracle.
Since it was a very serious claim to possess the wounds of Christ, doctors and Church officials from all over came to see him. As his popularity rapidly spread, the Vatican wanted to be cautious so they restricted his publica faculties so they could investigate the matter with minimum interference. The experts who examined him noticed that the wounds were perfectly round and he was continuously bleeding, yet he never became infected. The Catholic Church finally determined that the stigmata was real and allowed Padre Pio to resume his public work. In his ministry, he was visited by Fr. Karol Wojtyla in 1947 who Padre Pio predicted would “rise to the highest post in the Church." Thirty years later, Fr. Wojtyla would become Pope John Paul II.
Padre Pio’s routine each day was packed even though he rarely left the Capuchin friary he was at. Each morning after a 5:00 AM mass, he would hear confessions until noon. Then he would take a break mid-morning to bless the sick and all his visitors. In the afternoon, he would hear confessions once more meaning he would listen to 10 hours of confession each day. Even then, the lines were so long that visitors had to take a number. Many of those who had him as a confessor reported that Padre Pio would mysteriously know specific details from their lives that they had never shared as he counseled them. The holy saint was even supposedly gifted with the ability to bilocate, meaning he was at two places at once, which he would use to minister to those who needed his aide but could not travel to him.
Yet, he not only suffered physically, but spiritually as well. His fellow brothers would tell of times when Padre Pio would be assaulted, sometimes physically, by evil spirits which sought to scare him from his devotion to God. He credits his strong faith with regular meditation and self-examination, which he did in the morning to begin with God and in the evenings to reflect on the day. He urged all Christians to see that God is at work in all things (sound familiar?) and to desire with all our hearts to do the will of God. Once he became a spiritual director, Padre Pio developed five key rules for spiritual growth: weekly confession, daily Communion, spiritual reading, meditation, and an examination of conscience.
Padre Pio died in 1968 after a decline in health. His last words were supposedly “Maria!” which in English meant Mary. It was reported that there were over 100,000 attendees to his burial mass and Pope John Paul II would encourage the faithful to embrace suffering as Padre Pio did in order to grow in love for Christ. Many who knew the Italian saint would later recall that he would tell them often “After my death, I will do more. My real mission will begin after my death."
If you ever find yourself in need of Padre Pio’s intercession, here is a good prayer to ask Jesus to stay with us:
Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me Lord, because I am weak, and I need Your strength, so that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my light, and without you, I am in darkness.
Stay with me Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.
Stay with me Lord, for I desire to love you very much, and always be in Your Company.
Stay with me Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.
Stay with me Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.
Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late, and the day is coming to a close, and life passes, death, judgment, eternity approach. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile.
Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You.
Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.
Stay with me Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to you, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.
Stay with me Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation because I do not merit it, but the gift of Your presence, oh yes, I ask this of You.
Stay with me Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.
With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity.
Amen
Stay awesome and blossom 🌱
By: anh Daniel
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