Padre Pio

I accidentally found the movie of Padre Pio from formed.org.

I watched it and was blessed from His humble life.

He received stigmata as gifts from God eventhough it caused him so much pain.

But with his humility and obedience, he is willing to experience the sufferings like Jesus did.

He was an Italian priest who was known for his piety and charity, as well as the gift of the stigmata.

He was born Francesco Forgione in Pieltrelcina, Italy. His parents were peasant farmers. As a child, he was very religious and by the age of five, he made decision to dedicate his life to God.

From his tender age, he had a peculiar ability. He could see guardian angels, spoke with Jesus and Mary. Although his family was very religious, they were also very poor. He spent many years as a child tending to a small flock of sheep owned by his family.

At the age of 15, he was finally ready and entered the novitate of the Capuchin friars at Morcone. He took the name of "Pio" in honor of Pope Pius 1, whose relic he often saw at his local chapel.

On September 20, Padre Pio was hearing confessions when he felt pain in his hands and feet. He noticed the stigmata, the wounds of Christ appearing on his hands and feet. The experience was painful. Bleeding occured. The wounds smelled of roses and although they continued to weep, they never became infected. Doctors who later examined the stigmata were amazed at their perfectly round shape.

By 1919, the word began to spread and people came from far away to examine him.

He became popular with the people he encountered and soon began to attribute supernatural occurrences to him.

Padre Pio himself was uncomfortable with his newfound popularity and the attention he received because of his stigmata. A church investigation into his stigmata concluded that his condition was not faked.

By 1934, the Vatican began to change its attitude towards Padre Pio and he was again allowed to perform public duties. 

In 1947, Fr Karol Wojtyla visited Padre Pio who prophetically told him he would rise to the highest post in the Church. He became Pope John Paul 11 in 1978.

Padre Pio used his newfound popularity to open a hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo to help the poor and sick people.

He became internationally famous, He was known for his piety, charity and the quality of his preaching. He famously advised "Pray, hope and don't worry."

He had other illnesses as well including cancer which was miraculously healed after just two treatments. Other problems such as arthritis, which plagued him in his later years never went away.

He passed away on September 23, 1968.