Last year when the world was watching over the canonization of Padre Pio, a friend who was used to be a nun based in Italy gave me several pictures of this saint of the sick and the dying. These pictures include the up-close face of Padre Pio, his tomb that was seen with Pope John Paul II kneeling before it, and the stigmatized hands of the Italian saint. Aside from the pictures, she also gave me prayers and novenas composed by him. She tells me also details about the place called San Giovanni Rotondo where in Padre Pio spent most of his days as a Capuccin priest. From then on I feel so very close to this saint that I even keep a devotion of praying the novena he has made. My admiration to his works grew more as I learned more about his life in a film bio that have been presented on the television.
A catholic magazine considered Padre Pio as one of the greatest Catholics who ever lived in the 20th century. He was listed along with Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, and Jose Ma. Escriva.
Padre Pio`s life is one that is lived in complete obedience to God, sacrifice, and love for humanity. His parents vividly recalled Padre Pio as being born to be very sickly and weak. Yet, despite his uttered frailty, he would spend his nights sleeping on a stone that would serve as his pillow for so many years. This he did as a form of penance for the forgiveness of sins of this fallen world.
Years later, he was ordained a priest of the Franciscan Capuccin order. At the age of 31, Padre Pio received the gift of stigmata. From henceforth, he became a living crucifix bearing the five holy wounds of Jesus Christ. The wounds bled continuously that he had to wear gloves and plasters to control the incessant flow. During the thorough investigation both by the science and theology over this phenomenon, the Church authorities ostracized him. He was confined in a room and was never allowed to say mass in public. Yet, it did not kill his faith in God. He held on. And through sincere prayers, he was able to intercede for the healing of so many sick and dying persons who came to him personally and communicated to him through letters.
Yes, he was isolated. But God`s gift to him of stigmata and healing powers became an even more defined mystery to the medical authorities.
Padre Pio has also been gifted with the gift of perfume. He smelled so sweet and fragrant whenever he says a mass. Also, he has that gift of bilocation, the ability to be seen in two places all at the same time.
When Padre Pio was already 70 years old, he suffered a malignant disease. He was already bedridden and was getting weaker each day. This was his personal circumstance in which he himself became a subject of God`s miracle. It was when the image of Our Lady of Lourdes visited San Giovanni Rotondo, Padre Pio`s place. When the image of the Lady was airlifted via the helicopter, Padre Pio told the Lady, would you want to leave me with this very painful situation? Suddenly, he felt a surge of energy, and the overpowering presence of Mother Mary. Miraculously, he was healed in an instant.
Before his death, Padre Pio said he would leave the world in order to be closer with Jesus, the real reason for his miracles. He added, he will now have direct contact with the Lord and so his prayers will now be directly heard and answered. So, let us continue praying for the Lord through Padre Pio`s intercession.
And may his examples be an epitome of an ideal Christian life to all of us. (10-06-03)
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