56 years ago today St. Padre Pio died

He was born Francesco Forgione in Pietrelcina, Italy, but the world came to know him as St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. Forgione was born on May 25, 1887 and baptized the following day, on May 26, at Santa Ana’s Chapel. He died on September 23, 1968.

Padre Pio became a Capuchin Friar on January 22, 1903, but it was his receiving of the stigmata that would cause thousands to flock to him to see the miracle.

The stigmata put him in the spotlight of not only the scrutiny (and doubts) of Church officials, but also of his own friars. Throughout many intense investigations and allegations, Pio set the example of trusting the Lord and being submissive to authority, even when they hurled unfounded hatred and allegations at him.

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” (St. Padre Pio)

He had a deep devotion to praying the rosary, often referring to the rosary as his weapon, and loved to pray for others. St. Pio taught, with his life and his words, that we are to remain faithful to God, but be aware of the presence of the devil. His battles with the devil are well known, having written about them frequently in his letters to his spiritual advisor. “The devil is like a rabid dog tied to a chain; beyond the length of the chain he cannot seize anyone. And you: keep at a distance. If you approach too near, you let yourself be caught. Remember that the devil has only one door by which to enter the soul: the will.” (St. Pio)

I often reflect on his illustration of the devil tied to a chain. He warns us to not approach too closely. It’s spring and with the spring comes the presence of snakes. In Tennessee, we only have three poisonous snakes: rattlesnake, copperhead, and water moccasin (cottonmouth). I am always a little nervous and diligent when walking outdoors during the spring and summer weather of the beautiful south. One, especially the copperhead, always frightens me a bit more than the others because it’s harder to locate and see when it blends in with the leaves.

I think of St. Pio’s illustration of the devil, and I can relate it to snake season. There are those that are fascinated with snakes and, in my opinion, might get a little too close to admire it, get a photo, or just out of curiosity. When we get within strike zone of satan, he will certainly reach out and strike. His intent is to capture us in his jaws and sink the teeth of sin into us.

“Our enemy who plots against us plucks up courage when dealing with the weak, but when anyone takes up a weapon and faces him, he becomes a coward.” (St. Pio)

“The rosary is the weapon for these times.” (St. Pio)

St. Pio of Pietrelcina was ordained a priest on August 10, 1910 and celebrated his first Mass just days later, August 14, 1910 in Pietrelcina. Shortly after being ordained, on September 7, 1910, he was praying in Piana Romana, where his family’s farmhouse was located, and received the invisible stigmata. It was not until several years later, on September 20, 1918, when he was praying in the Friary Chapel in San Giovanni Rotondo, that he received the visible stigmata which included the five wounds of Christ. He bore these wounds for fifty years.

In addition to bearing the stigmata and his battles with the devil, St. Padre Pio is also well known for his work with the La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital. It is a home for the relief of suffering and was the manifestation of Pio’s dream to help those enduring so much pain and sickness.

He was canonized by St. John Paul II on June 16, 2002. He is the only priest in Church history to bear the stigmata.