Padre Pio (1887-1968) was beloved for his piety and charity and for 50 years experienced a stigmata, the physical wounds of Christ crucified, on his hands, feet and side. He was canonized in 2002 by Pope St. John Paul II. Our Lady of the Lake is welcoming 7 major relics of this revered saint tomorrow, 5/16 from 2:30pm – 9:00pm. The visit will conclude with a votive Mass in honor of St. Pius of Pietrelcina at 7pm. All are invited to join us in prayer to this beloved saint of the last century. These relics are from the National Centre for Padre Pio in Barto, PA. The relics included St. Padre Pio’s hair, gloves, a piece of his bloodstained shirt, feathers from his pillow, scabs and dried blood, bandages from a wound, and a handkerchief containing tears and blood.
Born of humble parentage in the Italian farming village of Pietrelcina, little Francesco Forgione was destined to revive in the XX century the Franciscan love of God and of fellow man. He joined the Capuchins at the age of fifteen and was give the name “Pio” or Pius. Padre Pio spent most of his religious life in the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo. He was marked by stigmata in 1918, leading to several investigations by the Holy See. Despite temporary sanctions imposed by the Vatican, his reputation kept increasing during his life, attracting many followers to San Giovanni Rotondo. He became a spiritual director, and developed five rules for spiritual growth: weekly confession, daily Communion, spiritual reading, meditation, and examination of conscience.
Many who came to visit this holy friar were not only in need of spiritual healing, but suffered physical ailments as well. By 1925, Pio had converted an old convent building into a medical clinic with a few beds intended primarily for people in extreme need. In 1940, a committee was formed to establish a larger clinic and donations started to be made. Construction began in 1947. The hospital was initially named for “Fiorello LaGuardia” but the name was changed to Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza or Home for the Relief of Suffering.
Pio’s health deteriorated in the 1960s, but he continued his spiritual works. On September, 22 in 1968, Padre Pio celebrated a Mass in recognition of the 50th anniversary of his receiving the stigmata, with a large crowd of pilgrims present to celebrate the event as well as television crews. Due to the large number of pilgrims present for the Mass, the superior of the monastery decided that a Solemn Mass be celebrated. Pio carried out his duties, but appeared extremely weak and frail. His voice was weak, and, after the Mass had concluded, he nearly collapsed while walking down the altar steps. He needed help from his Capuchin brothers. This was his last celebration of Mass. Early in the morning of September, 23, Pio made his last confession and renewed his Franciscan vows. As was customary, he had his rosary in his hands, though he did not have the strength to pray aloud, instead repeating the words Gesù, Maria (‘Jesus, Mary’). He died in his cell in San Giovanni Rotondo around 2:30 a.m. at the age of 81.
In an era when educated persons say “we must see in order to believe,” Padre Pio is God’s answer! Here is the humble friar whose existence exemplified Franciscan humility and yet coexisted continually in the presence of the supernatural—the priest who lived in two worlds simultaneously. He urged all that came to him with these words: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”
