St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Wednesday Sept 23  

St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Saint Pio was born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelcina, southern Italy. At age 15, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars.  Of feeble health but strong will, with the help of God’s grace, he completed his studies and was ordained a priest in 1910.

 He spent fifty years of his life in the Friary of San Giovanni Rotondo  where he was much sought after by countless people as a spiritual advisor, confessor, and intercessor.  He carried on an extensive correspondence with people throughout the world.   In 1918 the five wounds of our Lord’s passion appeared on his body, making him the first stigmatized priest in the history of the Church. Despite his notoriety, he often said, “I just want to be a poor friar who prays.”

His whole life was one of austerity marked by long hours of prayer. His letters to his “spiritual children” reveal the ineffable physical and spiritual suffering, which accompanied him throughout his life. They also reveal his deep union with God and his  ardent love for the Holy Eucharist and Our Blessed Lady. He also established a hospital for the relief of the suffering.   Saint “Padre Pio” was called to his heavenly reward on September 23, 1968. His funeral attracted over 100,000 mourners. He was canonized in 2002 by St John Paul II.