Ref- http:// www.self-realization.com
Padre Pio was declared "VENERABLE" by Pope Paul II on Thursday, December 18, 1997.
(Send in by C.)
(Venerable means that the Catholic Church recognizes the outstanding qualities
of someone on his way to full
sainthood.)
Padre Pio was known to heal, levitate during mass (observed by large crowds of people),
and - as a stigmatist - he
bled for about 50 years daily the amount of a large cup of blood out of his hands.
If you are interested in learning more about Padre Pio, then, do not miss to check out
these great LINKS.
Padre Pio, originally Francesco Forgione, was born 27 May, 1887 in Italy.
He left his body on the 23 September, 1968 at
the age of 81. He was a Catholic priest who studied to become a Capuchin who are
part of the orders of the Franciscans.
He was known as a Stigmatist and bled regularly out of his hands, feet, and side
for 50 years. Padre Pio was blessed with the
Holy Spirit. During mass, he would be observed bleeding from his hands or even levitating.
He was also observed being at two
places at the same time, which is known as bilocation. Many people hold him responsible
for dramatic healings of various kinds
and funds sent to him were used to build a hospital. Other abilities ascribed to him
include prophecy and telepathy. His virtues
were praised by all who knew him. The amount of food he would eat was said to fit in
his hand. Apparently his decision to
become a priest was already formed at the early age of 6.
Ref - http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintp27.htm
PADRE PIO
Profile
Born to a southern Italian farm family. Shepherd. At age 15 he entered the noviciate
of the Capuchin Friars in Morcone, and entered the order at age 19. Suffered several
health problems, and at one point his family thought he had tuberculosis.
Priest at age
22.
While praying before a cross, he received the stigmata on 20 September 1918, the
first priest ever to be so blessed. As word spread, especially after
American soldiers
brought home stories of Padre Pio following WWII, the priest himself became a point
of pilgrimage for both the pious and the curious.
He would hear confessions by the hour, reportedly able to read the consciences of
those who held back. Reportedly able to bi-locate, levitate, and heal by touch.
Born
25 May 1887 @ Pietrelcina, Italy as Francesco
Died
23 September 1968
Venerable
18 December 1997 by Pope John Paul II
Beatified
2 May 1999 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized
pending
Additional Information
Open Directory Project links to sites devoted to or with information about
Blessed Padre Pio
A Troublesome Saint, by Andrea Monda
Padre Pio - Canonization in 2001?
Prayers
Chaplet of Padre Pio
Ref - http://www.abol.it/padrepio/inglese/index.html
Padre Pio was born in Pietrelcina, a little town
situated few kilometres from Benevento
(Southern Italy), on May 25, 1887.
His father, Grazio Forgione, known as "Razio" or
"Zì Razio", was a farmer who lived on his own
work. His mother, Giuseppina Di Nunzio, was a
woman of great mercy.
They baptised him Francesco in Santa Maria degli
Angeli, Our Lady of Angels, the ancient parish
church, located in the upper part of Pietrelcina,
called the 'Castle'.
Since young he helped his parents with their
work in the fields, but, above all, he was the
shepherd of the flock.
When he felt the calling to priestwood, his father
willingly undertook all the expenses needed to let
him study and emigrated to America.
At the age of fifteen he entered the noviciate of
the Capuchin Friars in Morcone, where on
January 22, 1903 he worn the clothing of Saint
Francis and was called Padre Pio.
After finishing the year as a novice, on January
22, 1904, he took the simple vows and,
consequently, he started his studies to become
a priest in the various monasteries of the
province.
On January 27, 1907, he took the solemn vows,
thus entering the Order for ever. Unfortunately,
due to his bad health he was obliged to alternate
monastic life and period of convalescence in his
home town.
They thought he suffered from tuberculosis so
that they had some doubts that he could reach
priesthood or, anyhow, live the severe rule of
Saint Francis.
However, thanks to his strong will he surpassed
all difficulties and, on August 10, 1910 he took
the Holy Orders in the Cathedral of Benevento.
Neverthless his health was getting on uncertain
and, therefore, except for short visits to the
Convent, the spiritual advisor preferred him to
stay in his home town where he could sometimes
help the priest of the town in the holy ministery.
Owing to the calling up to the army (November
1915), Padre Pio ended up his stay in Pietrelcina.
He spent this period altering sick leaves, short
stay in his town, and in various monasteries, like
that in San Giovanni Rotondo, where he arrived
on July 28, 1916 and lived till his death.
On September 20, 1918 five wounds of Our
Lord's Passion appeared on his body, making him
the first stigmatized priest in the history of
Church.
This event, strengthened by the fame he had
always had as a religious saint, had a great echo
and people from all parts of the world arrived,
arousing alarming worries in the world of Church
and Science.
Despite the great multitude of people around
him, the disputes and criticism aroused, Padre
Pio looked after his duties as a priest
(particularly the holy mass and confession) with
all humility, perseverance, and obedience.
On January 9, 1940, he set up a magnificent
work aimed to relieve the sufferance.
This work was carried out with the help of
disciples and the small spontaneous offerings of
believers coming from all over the world.
Thus, the House for Relief of Suffering open its
doors to patients, on May 5, 1956, gaining the
favour of peoples.
An impressive number of believers affirmed to
owe to Padre Pio a great change in their life.
Countless were the favours, even material,
received through the intercession of his prayers.
He died on January 23, 1968, at the age of 81,
but his teachings are still alive today.
On the March 20, 1983, the process for
Beatification has begun.