Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (1887–1968)
Saint Pio was born in Pietrelcina, in the province of Benevento, on May 25, 1887, to Grazio Forgione and Maria Giuseppa De Nunzio.
At baptism, he was given the name Francesco. At the age of fifteen, he entered the Capuchin friary at Morcone, in Benevento, where he received the religious habit on January 22, 1903.
He was ordained a priest on August 10, 1910, in the Cathedral of Benevento. Because of poor health, he was obliged to remain in his home village for several years.
In February 1916, he moved to the Friary of Sant’Anna in Foggia. On July 28 of that same year, he went to the friary of San Giovanni Rotondo, where he remained for the rest of his life, except for a few brief and rare absences.
On the morning of Friday, September 20, 1918, while praying before the crucifix in the choir of the old church, he received the stigmata of our Lord Jesus Christ. He bore these wounds for fifty years, until his death on September 23, 1968.
He carried out his priestly ministry with extraordinary zeal. He founded the Prayer Groups and the hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza — Home for the Relief of Suffering.
On December 18, 1997, Pope John Paul II declared Padre Pio Venerable. He beatified him on May 2, 1999, and canonized him on June 16, 2002.
What Made Saint Pio Stand Out?
– He bore the wounds of Christ for fifty years.
– He was known for spiritual discernment and the gift of reading consciences.
– He was said to possess the gift of bilocation: being present in another place without physically leaving the place where he was.
– Numerous miracles were attributed to him during his lifetime.
– Mysterious and pleasant fragrances were often associated with his presence.
– Although he spoke only Italian, people from different nations reportedly understood him.
– He spent many hours each day hearing confessions, sometimes for more than eighteen hours.
– He celebrated Mass every day, and at times the celebration lasted several hours.
– He founded the Prayer Groups, which later spread throughout the world.
– He founded Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, a major hospital dedicated to the care of the sick and suffering.
One of His Sayings
“Whether you are in pain or in happiness, in sorrow or in joy, alone or with others, never forget that God loves you, helps you, and walks beside you. Love Him too.
Take courage! Jesus takes care of everything.”
