Francesco, named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, was born to Giuseppa and Grazio Forgione, peasant farmers, in the small Italian village of Pietrelcina on May 25, 1887. From his childhood, it was evident that he was a special child of God. Francesco was very devout even as a child, and at an early age felt drawn to the priesthood. He became a Capuchin novice at the age of sixteen and received the habit in 1902. Francesco was ordained to the priesthood in 1910 after seven years of study and became known as Padre Pio.

On September 20, 1918, Padre Pio was kneeling in front of a large crucifix when he received the visible marks of the crucifixion, making him the first  stigmatized priest in the history of Church. The doctor who examined Padre Pio could not find any natural cause for the wounds. Upon his death in 1968, the wounds were no longer visible. In fact, there was no scaring and the skin  was completely renewed. He had predicted 50 years prior that upon his death the wounds would heal. The wounds of the stigmata were not the only mystical phenomenon experienced by Padre Pio.

The blood from the stigmata had an odor described by many as similar to that  of perfume or flowers, and the gift of bilocation was attributed to him. Padre Pio had the ability to read the hearts of the penitents who flocked to him for confession which he heard for ten or twelve hours per day. Padre Pio used the confessional to bring both sinners and devout souls closer to God; he would know just the right word of counsel or encouragement that was needed. Even before his death, people spoke to Padre Pio about his possible canonization. He died on September 23, 1968 at the age of eighty-one. His funeral was attended by about 100,000 people.

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. The Padre Pio Foundation and many benefactors traveled to Rome, San Giovanni Rotondo, Pietrelcina, Piana Romana and many other holy places to celebrate Padre Pio’s Canonization.

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39 COMMENTS

  6. The summer of 1963 while living in San Vito dei Normanni, Italy I was invited to xisit Padre Pio, i declined the invitation and have regretted it ever since, Being a young newlywed as well as a recent convert I did not understand the depth of this Holy Man St Padre Pio,you are special to me, please pray for me and my family that we will spend eternity in heaven.

  7. please pray for me and my daughters give them strength wellness and keep them and myself out of harms way..pray intensely for Maria to be healed just like your wounds amen.

  9. Padre Pio pray that my prays are already answered by our Heavenly Father. Also, pray for spiritual healing for my siblings, my children, my earthly angels and Bob’s family. Pray Padre Pio for physical healing for Bob’s father, Louis. I have never stopped praying to the HeavenlyFather, I know in my heart that He will answer my prays just in time. I am bored down with so much financially, but I continue to pray. May God touch people in my life. Pray for me. Amen

  12. Padre Pio, Happy Feast Day <3 xo
    Padre, you know what is in our hearts, you know our most truest desires, our most truest wishes of all. Please pray for us, that our Blessings and our Prayers may be answered, the most precious gift of all, please Padre may we receive our precious most cherished wish of all, the most precious token of our love and of our union, a Blessing that our hearts cry out for, Please Pray For Us. We trust in you, our Faith in you is unwavering Saint Padre of Miracles, Amen <3 xo

  14. St. Pio,
    Thank you for all of your prayers. Please continue to pray for our nation and the world (especially for my family members who have not come back to the Lord). Amen

  15. Saint Padre Pio – please pray for my family, me and our country! Help us all move closer to being one with Jesus our Lord and Saviour!

  17. Every Monday, I am saying Novena to our saint Padre Pio.
    Actually today I was blessed with a restoration from a huge financial burden.
    Only after reading this post I came to know that today is the feast of our saint. What a great coincidence. Really St.Padre Pio is the reason for my blessing, no doubt. Glory to God. Amen.

  18. My mother who was quite ill today wishes to thank you for after she prayed to you she felt much better. Padre Pio help all your spritual children to stay close to God and watch over them and thier families.

  28. God thank you for the gift of symbolism and insight that you bestowed on Padre Pio. Another sign that You never left. Thank you for all my blessings. I’m asking that you help motivate me and assist me with my weight and health issues, to motivate and inspire me with completing the book, to enlighten and guide my daughter – Lord You know her heart and You know what’s best for her – Please help me to stay out of Your way and continue to give her to You. Jesus I trust in You. Please come into the lives of every single family member. Bless them financially, break their addictions, and instill a burning fervor within them to want to know You. In Jesus’ name. Amen

  29. We thank you most Gracious Lord for the gift of St. Pio and ask Lord God that you send more saints like St. Padre Pio into the world. There is so much suffering throughout the world. Lord we pray for Peace. Reveal yourself O Lord, that souls may be saved from death.

  32. Padre I pray for all those who have asked us to pray for them, I pray for my mum for healing, all my family members including Aipa, mummy, Lochilil, Akang, Jerry, logo, Lolem myself and many other family members. Help us lord.

  33. Dear padre pio please look over and keep in your thoughts and prayers ,my Children my grandchildren, my mother and my husband ,and please padre pio let it be know to me after my mri scan what health problems I have,and they can at least be treated and I can stay on this earth to help and guide my family and see there hard work and education of which my daughter put a lot of time studying so she can obtain a great job ,she has been thorough a lot this last year padre pio ,and has shown us how strong a person she is thanks be to God watch over my son’s one of which is going thorough a hard time at the minute watch over and protect them both any my stepdaughter who is a credit to her mother who passed away 20years ago please padre pio look over my husband and keep him I would be lost without him ,guide us all through our lives keep us close to your heart watch over and protect us all AMEN st padre pio

  37. “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”.
    [St. Pio of Pietrelcina aka ‘Padre Pio’ (1887-1968)]

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