Padre Pio
Saint Pater Pio (or Padre Pio) (May 25, 1887 - September 23, 1968) was an Italian priest who had stigmata for many years. He acquired fame as a miracle worker and clairvoyant. He is also alleged to have been able to bilocate and was granted a dispensation from ever saying the Novus Ordo Mass. On June 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II proclaimed the famous Pater Pio as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
Biographical Outline
- Born in Pietrelcina, Italy
- Baptised in Santa Anna Church, Pietrelcina
- Joined Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in 1903
- Ordained in Cathedral of Benevento in 1910
- Assigned priest at Santa Maria degli Angeli (Our Lady of the Angels), Pietrelcina; stigmata began
- Served in Italian Medial Corps 1917-1918
- Began plans for Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home to Relieve Suffering) in 1940; hospital opened in San Giovanni Rotondo in 1956
During the communist totalitarianism, Pater Pio told to Cardinal Tomasek: "You will not die, until your motherland will be free." Cardinal Tomašek lived to see the end of communist control in Czechoslovakia in 1989, dying in 1992.
Vocation
At the early age of 16, 6 January 1903, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at Morcone, where on 22 January he took the Franciscan habit and the name of Brother Pio. He took simple vows during his novitiate year, and on 27 January 1907, made his solemn profession.
Ordination
He was ordained a priest on 10 August 1910 at Benevento. For health reasons he remained with his family until early 1916. Later that same year he went to the friary of San Giovanni Rotondo, at the request of his superiors and remained there until his death.
Rome
On 20 February 1971, Pope Paul VI, speaking to the superiors of the Capuchin Order, said of Padre Pio:
"Look what fame he had, what a worldwide following gathered around him! But why? Perhaps because he was a philosopher? Because he was wise? Because he had resources at his disposal? Because he said Mass humbly, heard confessions from dawn to dusk and was—it is not easy to say it—one who bore the wounds of our Lord.
He was a man of prayer and suffering".
Pater Pio was proclaimed Venerable on 18th Dec 1997 by pope John Paul II. It is the first step to his canonization.
On 5 May 1999, Pope John Paul II proclaimed Padre Pio Beatific. It is the second step to his canonization.
On 16 June 2002, Pope John Paul II proclaimed Padre Pio, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
Half a million people were in attendance at the announcement ceremony.
San Giovanni Rotondo
On 1 July 2004, the San Giovanni Rotondo was dedicated to his memory by Pope John Paul II on the spot where Pater Pio lived.[1]