St. Padre Pio was born on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy. He was the son of Grazio Forgione and Maria Giuseppa De Nunzio. After his investiture on January 22, 1903, at the Capuchin Friary at Morcone, he took the name Pio. He made his solemn profession on January 27, 1907, and was ordained a priest on August 10, 1910. Padre Pio had a deep love for God and for his fellowmen, and he considered his vocation as a call to work for their good.
As a priest, Pio had a special mission that manifested in various ways. He had a remarkable gift for spiritual direction and sacramental reconciliation, which helped bring God's forgiving love into the hearts of those suffering and sinning. He also greatly impacted everyone he met, and his sanctity earned him the nickname of the second Saint Francis. However, it was his awe-inspiring manner of celebrating the Eucharist that was considered the pinnacle of all his apostolic activity.
Padre Pio was widely believed to have had numerous mystical experiences, such as visits from the Virgin Mary, bilocation, communication with angels, and the gifts of prophecy and healing. He once said, "The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain." Despite the doubts and suspicions expressed by many about the authenticity of his stigmata, Padre Pio remained in the true Franciscan spirit of resignation.
Worn out by over half a century of intense suffering, Padre Pio was called to his heavenly reward on September 23, 1968. After a public funeral, which attracted over 100,000 mourners, his body was entombed in the crypt of Our Lady of Grace Church. Increasing numbers flock to his tomb from all over the world, and many testify to the spiritual and temporal graces received. On December 18, 1997, by the reading of the decree on the heroic virtues, the Holy Father John Paul II declared Padre Pio "Venerable." On June 16, 2002, over 500,000 Padre Pio devotees gathered in Rome to witness Pope John Paul II proclaim Padre Pio, "Saint Pio of Pietrelcina."
Prayer of Trust and Confidence by St. Pio:
O Lord, we ask for a boundless confidence and trust in Your Divine Mercy, and the courage to accept the crosses and sufferings which bring immense goodness to our souls and that of Your Church.
Help us to love You with a pure and contrite heart, and to humble ourselves beneath Your Cross, as we climb the mountain of holiness, carrying our cross that leads to heavenly glory.
May we receive You with great faith and love in Holy Communion, and allow You to act in us, as You desire, for Your greater glory.
O Jesus, most adorable heart and eternal fountain of Divine Love, may our prayer find favor before the Divine Majesty of Your Heavenly Father. Amen.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
No comments:
Post a Comment