St. Padre Pio

                                                                                   St. Padre Pio

St. Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy, was a priest celebrated for his profound spirituality and the mysterious stigmata—the Christ-like wounds he bore. From a young age, he was deeply religious, a path encouraged by his devoted family. Despite facing poor health and limited education due to his family’s financial struggles, Francesco was determined to become a friar.

At fifteen, he entered the Capuchin friars, adopting the name ‘Pio.’ He was ordained in 1910 but frequently battled illness. During World War I, Padre Pio briefly served in a medical capacity but was soon discharged because of his health issues. In 1918, while hearing confessions, he began experiencing the stigmata, which miraculously remained uninfected and emitted a sweet scent of roses.

As stories of Padre Pio’s stigmata spread, he attracted both followers and skeptics. Initially, the Vatican limited his public interactions, but eventually, it recognized and supported his ministry. Notably, Padre Pio met the future Pope John Paul II, correctly predicting his rise to the papacy. He used his growing influence to establish a hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo in 1956.

Throughout his life, Padre Pio endured numerous ailments yet remained steadfast in his pastoral duties, offering counsel with his motto, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” He passed away on September 23, 1968, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 16, 2002. Celebrated each year on September 23, Padre Pio’s legacy as a symbol of unwavering faith endures. He is honored as the patron saint of civil defense volunteers, adolescents, and his hometown of Pietrelcina.