Childhood
Francesco Forgione was born on May 25, 1887 in the small village of Pietrelcina in southern Italy, into the poor farming family of Grazio and Giuseppa. From early childhood he loved prayer, and at the age of five, in his own words, he consecrated himself to God. So that his son could study for the priesthood, his father twice went to work in America.
Capuchin
In January 1903, fifteen-year-old Francesco entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and received the name Brother Pio. He was often ill, but he did not give up his vocation: on August 10, 1910 he was ordained a priest. From 1916 until the end of his life he lived in the friary of San Giovanni Rotondo.
The stigmata
On September 20, 1918, while praying before a crucifix, Padre Pio received the stigmata — the wounds of Christ in his hands, feet and side. They bled for fifty years. Padre Pio regarded them as a great mystery and a burden; he asked the Lord to take away the visible signs but to leave the pain. The Church examined the phenomenon long and carefully; for several years he was even forbidden to celebrate Mass in public, and he accepted these restrictions in obedience.
Confessor and father to millions
The heart of Padre Pio's ministry was the Holy Mass and confession. His Masses lasted for hours, and he spent 10–15 hours a day in the confessional. People came from all over the world; many testified to conversions, healings and graces received through his prayers. He founded prayer groups, which today are active in many countries of the world, including Ukraine.
The Home for the Relief of Suffering
Padre Pio dreamed that the sick would find not only treatment but also love. Thanks to donations from people all over the world, in 1956 the hospital “Home for the Relief of Suffering” (Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza) opened in San Giovanni Rotondo — today it is one of the largest hospitals in Italy.
Return to the Father and glorification
Padre Pio died on September 23, 1968 with the words “Jesus, Mary”. The stigmata disappeared shortly before his death. Saint John Paul II, who as a young priest had gone to confession to Padre Pio, beatified him in 1999 and canonised him on June 16, 2002. The Church celebrates the memory of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina on September 23.
Words of Padre Pio
“Pray, hope and don't worry.”
“Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key that opens the heart of God.”
“It would be easier for the world to exist without the sun than without the Holy Mass.”
“Jesus and your soul must cultivate the vineyard together.”
