Memorial of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina,

[cappie]

In the document Misericordiae Vultus (“The Face of Mercy”),  , Pope Francis recommends that we consider “the saints and blessed ones who made divine mercy their mission in life” (Misericordiae Vultus, No. 24). By their example, they help us in our own efforts to yield to the same grace. St. Padre Pio is a classic icon of mercy.

Born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy, St. Padre Pio entered a world rich in prayer and charity. His parents had him baptized the morning following his birthday. From a young age, he exhibited a deep love for God and a profound desire to serve Him. At the  age of 15, on Jan. 6, 1903,  he entered the Capuchin friary at Marcone,  he also took the name Pio, and he embarked on a journey of faith that would leave an indelible mark on the world.

Seven years of formation for the priesthood followed, all the while still deepening his prayer life and dealing with various ailments. On Aug. 10, 1910, Padre Pio was ordained a priest. In September 1916,  he moved to San Giovanni Rotondo and live at the Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Friary.

 We learn from St. Padre Pio that answering God's call, even when it requires sacrifice, is a path to a purposeful and fulfilling life. When we listen to God's calling, we align ourselves with His divine plan.

On Sept. 20, 1918, Padre Pio began to experience pain, marks and bleeding in locations on his body that corresponded to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus. It was the first instance of the stigmata that would remain with him until death. Around the same time, he also began manifesting other spiritual gifts like bilocation, the ability to read hearts and even a beautiful fragrance that emitted from his wounds. Several doctors examined the wounds and could not find a rational explanation for their appearance or permanence.

Padre Pio was embarrassed by the attention and wanted — out of a sense of modesty — to hide the stigmata. He asked God to remove the physical wounds without removing the suffering, which Padre Pio would gladly endure out of love for Christ. He bore the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, on his hands, feet, and side for 50 years. He endured physical pain, misunderstanding, and scepticism from many who couldn't comprehend his mystical experiences. All the clamour resulted in the Vatican forbidding Padre Pio from offering public Masses and from corresponding with people, which he accepted obediently.

By 1934, Pope Pius XI had the bans reversed, and he added his own commentary: “I have not been badly disposed toward Padre Pio, but I have been badly informed.”

Padre Pio's life teaches us the power of embracing suffering with grace. In our own lives, we may encounter hardships, but through faith and prayer, we can find strength and meaning even in our darkest moments.

One of Padre Pio’s most quoted statements is this: “pray, hope, and don’t worry.” It’s a program for living confidently in God’s mercy, something Padre Pio knew well.

God’s mercy was the foundation of his life: “Jesus continues to love me and to draw me closer to himself. He has forgotten my sins, and I would say that he remembers only his own mercy. Each morning, he comes into my heart and pours out all the effusions of his goodness.”

Padre Pio desired to share with others what he had received, and as a priest he knew he had a privileged means: to hear confessions and grant absolution by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pope St. John Paul II said of the saint during his canonization Mass, “Padre Pio was a generous dispenser of divine mercy … especially by the administration of the Sacrament of Penance.”

At times, he would devote 10 to 12 hours a day to hearing confessions.

  Padre Pio understood that divine mercy  seeks to bring out inherent goodness, and reparation becomes a first step back on the right path. Confession is for the conversion of a sinner and not merely to assuage a guilty conscience.

 Moreover, if we accept God’s forgiveness wholeheartedly, we will begin to see how his mercy changes not only our lives but also the lives of those around us. St. Paul, who underwent a profound conversion himself, speaks about being “the aroma of Christ” (2 Cor 2:15) that attracts others to a saintly life.

The mercy of God “becomes indulgence on the part of the Father who, through the Bride of Christ, his Church, reaches the pardoned sinner and frees him from every residue left by the consequences of sin, enabling him to act with charity, to grow in love rather than to fall back into sin” (Misericordiae Vultus, No. 22).

 Padre Pio, as an icon of God’s mercy, received the Lord’s love and forgiveness and then passed it on to others. Like St. Paul, he became “an odour of life that leads to life” (2 Cor 2:16).

In the life of St. Padre Pio, we find a profound source of inspiration. His unwavering faith, dedication to prayer, and willingness to embrace suffering teach us valuable lessons that can guide our own spiritual journeys. Let us remember his life as a testament to the power of faith, prayer, and the transformative impact of a life dedicated to God. May we be inspired to follow in his footsteps, seeking a deeper connection with our Creator and sharing His love with the world. St. Padre Pio, pray for us. Amen.

 

[BarbTherese]

Thank you