Padre Pio, Man of Hope

Padre Pio was a stigmatist of our time. He was born in 1887 and died in 1968. He bore the stigmata for 50 years. It first appeared in 1910, when he was first ordained as a Capuchin monk and dissappeared after Padre Pio begged for them to be removed. The physical signs were removed but he bore the suffering for eight years. The physical signs of the stigmata reappeared in 1918.

Many people called Padre Pio an hysteric, including the members of the church. Persecuted by the church that he loved, Padre Pio died without official vindication. When the physical signs of the stigmata reappeared in 1918, Jesus told him he would bear them for fifty years. His life was characterized by phenomena..,

"typically associated with the paranormal world: bilocation, levitation, mind reading, premonitions and claivoyance. When his friend Angelo Battisti once questioned him about these things, Padre Pio told him: "Angelo, they are a mystery for me too.""pg 6 "Padre Pio, Man of Hope"

Many doctors examined Padre Pio's stigmata which defied scientific explanation. Dr Luigi Romanelli, examined Padre Pio's wounds on May 15, 16 of 1919 and said:

"The lesions on his hands are covered with a membrane that is reddish brown in color, without any bleeding, swelling or inflammation of the surrounding tissue. I am convinced without a doubt that the wounds are not just superficial. When I press together my thumb on the palm of his hand and my index on the back of his hand, I clearly perceive a vacuum exists between them.
The lesions on his feet have the same characteristics as those on his hands. I have also noticed a visible cut in his side that is parralel to his ribs and that is three inches long, penetrating the soft tissue. As with any wound to the thorax, it is impossible to ascertain how deep the wound penetrates and what direction it takes in the chest cavity. The wound is bleeding profusely and the blood is arterial blood" pg 77-78 "Padre Pio, Man of Hope" by Renzo Allegri

It's estimated Padre Pio lost a cup of blood a day, the wounds defied scientific explanation and the laws of nature. The open wounds never infected. The necrotic flesh emitted a sweet smell similar to lilac. Padre Pio often defied the laws of nature. Some of the healings and miracles attributed to him, include bilocation, miraculous healings and even resurrection.

"Dr Sanguinetti told me about another incident, which he had personally witnessed. One day a woman came to San Giovanni Rotondo with a wicker suitcase. She went into the church and waited in line with the other women. When it was her turn, she opened the suitcase in front of Padre Pio and broke out in tears. Wrapped in some old clothing in a suitcase was the body of a baby about six months old. The woman was coming to San Giovanni with her sick son, hoping that Padre Pio would heal him. But the poor boy died on the train. The woman who was overcome with anguish but still had immense faith, hid the child in her suitcase and continued on with her journey. Dr Sanguinetti told me that if the child had been hidden in the suitcase while still alive, he would certainly have died from suffocation. Therefore there was no doubt that the child was dead when she opened her suitcase for Padre Pio.
As the woman cried out, Padre Pio took the body in his hands and prayed for a few moments. The he turned to the mother and asked her in a firm voice, "Why are you yelling so much? Don't you see that your son is sleeping?" The woman looked at the baby and realized that he was tranquilly breathing." pg 207 "Padre Pio, Man of Hope"

Many such healing were scientifically documented. Gemma Di Giogi was born blind without pupils, following a visit to Padre Pio her sight was restored but not her pupils. Doctors were dumbfounded. Giuseppe Canaponi was a railway worker who was crippled after an terrible accident. Doctors could not heal the ligaments now freezing his knee joint. They attempted everything, including an operation that resulted in re-breaking his leg bone, trying to force the knee to bend.

"Padre Pio was already hearing confessions. There were only a few people in front of me. After about fifteen minutes it was my turn. Propping myself up on my crutches, I walked up to Padre Pio. I tried to say something but he didn't give a chance. He started talking, painting a perfect portrait of my life, my personality and my behavior. It seemed as though he had always lived with me. He spoke in a soft voice and didn't scold me in the least. He helped me to see how ridiculous my behavior was. I was completely enthralled with his words and wasn't even thinking about my leg."

Giuseppe Canaponi amazed the illustrious specialists who could find no reason for his ability to walk. The ligaments around his knee were in the same condition. He obtained an affadavit from the Orthopedic Clinic of the University of Siena. In it the doctor wrote:

"There is reason, then, to believe that in Canponi's case his sudden ability to move his joint constitutes an extraordinary event that has no logical explanation within the realms of scientific knowledge." pg 187 "Padre Pio, A Man of Hope."

There are many more miracles attributed to this enigmatic man. Attacked by devils early in life, he wrote to his spiritual director:

"That wicked thing beat me continuously from about ten oclock at night when I went to bed, until five o'clock in the morning. Those evil things flung themselves on me like hungry tigers, cursing me and threatening to make me pay. Father, they've kept their word, since then, they've beaten me daily...At this point, Jesus has permitted them to vent their anger on me for twenty-two continuous days. My body is bruised all over from their continuous blows." pg 45, "Padre Pio, Man of Hope"

Up to the end of his life he was persecuted by the church and dogged by cruel rumors, but he remained steadfast in his faith and obedience.

"Cardinal Siri once made th following remarks in an interview with me: "With the stigmata he bore throughout his life and the other physical and moral sufferings he endured, Padre Pio calls our attention tothe body of Christ as a means of salvation. Jesus died on the cross for us, and the entire theology of redemption rests on this truth, throughout history whenever men have forgotten it or have sought to find it, God had always intervened with events, deeds and miracles. In our time the temptation to forget about the reality of the body of Christ is enormous. And God has sent us this man with the task of calling us back to the truth." pg 6 "Padre Pio, A Man of Hope."

It is such a fascinating story and many people are not aware that Padre Pio bore the stigmata and many miracles are attributed to his faith. He once remarked that 'All American's were his children.' What are people's current opinions on this mysterious man? Redemption theology is as unfashionable as Christ is now. One can imagine many ascribing the events to alien technology. Even if that were true, would that entirely discard the lessons taught there?

To me, original sin is simply man's imperfection and the redemption of Christ symbolizes that the spiritual offers release from the immutable state of our physical imperfection. Serving God is a key to freedom, service of self is always restricted by our state. Black Elk said: 'It's very, very hard to make a friend. Until one gives one's robe and spirit in service to God, what one gets is friendly enemies.'

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's fellow man.


(All quotes from the book, "Padre Pio, Man of Hope", by Renzo Allegri.)

[edit on 17-3-2007 by clearwater]

So many miracles are attributed to Padre Pio. It's interesting to note his struggle with demons and angelic visions were not something he experienced entirely alone. Plagued by demons in his cell, every night the monks came to expect the loud bangs and strange noises that would emanate from Padre Pio's room. It frightened them very badly.

His first miracle is regarded as that of the chestnuts. He sent a bag of chestnuts to his aunt. She emptied the bag and had an accident burning herself badly. She ran to grab anything a picked up the bag Padre Pio had sent her, covering her face with it. When she removed the bag, her face was completely healed.

"The ecstasies occured about two to three times a day. While the diabolical apparitions lasted about fifteen minutes, the ecstasies lasted from one to two and and a half hours. His eyes were open the entire time, fixed on point in the room. He spoke in a different tone of voice and from his words it was clear that he was speaking with Jesus, Mary or his guardian angel.

Your legions will fall like wheat before the harvest.

This is a cute miracle:

The monks at the monastery used to play a form of lawn bowling, but Padre Pio was not a very accomplished player. One day a cat was walking by at the very moment when Padre Pio was throwing his ball. The cat became frightened and ran right into the ball's path. He was about to be hit when the ball stopped in midair and fell to the side. pg. 166.

Good thing he didn't bowl over the cat, all cats descend from the tiger.




[edit on 25-3-2007 by clearwater]

Oh yes! I love Padre Pio.

I have a third class relic in front of me now.

I especially paid attention to the stories of those who went to confession with him. He KNEW if you were not making a good confession! I always ask him to pray to help me make a good confession on my way to the "box".

too bad all the people that supposedly confirmed his "miracles" weren't skeptics or atheists

Mahree, that's such a good idea, I'm going to do that. I haven't gone to confession in a while, but I'm sure Padre Pio was behind the last one. I couldn't have done that myself. lol

madnessinmysoul, Many of his miracles were confirmed by doctors and he did suffer terrible persecution, being called an hysteric or emotional neurotic. Even from the church itself.

The railroad worker whose ligaments were atrophied in place around his knee was given a certificate from the doctors who examined him. They could find no physical reason for his sudden ability to walk.

The stigmata defies scientific explanation. Some of the skeptics who scorned Padre Pio, were completely transformed by meeting him.

Here is an interesting story of conversion:

Ceare Festa was a very well educated and intelligent lawyer. A leading jurist and public speaker, he was convinced that the Catholic Church was preventing social progress. He fought against the Church passionately in the political arena.
Because of his postion, he was always engaging in lively conversation with his cousin, Dr Giorgio Festa, who had discovered some solid reasons for defending the Church because of Padre Pio.
One day Dr Festa said to his cousin the lawyer: "What purpose does it serve to keep on fighting? There's someone who will put an end at once to all your objections: Padre Pio. Go and visit him. Then we can take up our discussion again."
"OK, I'll go." The lawyer responded. He kept his promise. When he arrived at the monastery, a monk welcomed him with these words: "Why are you, a Freemason, coming here to be with us?" He was a bit shaken by this welcome and tried to explain. While he was speaking, Padre Pio opened the door of the sacristy and showed him the way to the confessional. The lawyer obeyed without a fight. He went to confession for the first time since he was a teenager.
He stayed at the monastery for a few days, where he received the scapular of the Third Order of Franciscans. Upon returning to Rome, he went to thank his cousin. "From now on I don't want to burden my brain with philosophical or scientific texts. Tell me what good and holy book to read," he said to his cousin. Dr Festa suggested a two volume work on the life of the Holy Family written by Fr Pietro Bergamaschi. "But I don't have it." Dr Festa explained, "Padre Pio gave it to me to read while I was in San Giovanni Rotondo. But you can probably find it in a bookstore on the Via Cavour that specializes in such works. It's on your way to the train station."
The lawyer who was returning that evening to Genoa, discovered the bookstore was closed. So he was unable to by the book. When he arrived at home the next morning, he went straight to bed. While he was sleeping, a young man whom he did not know came to his apartment and handed his servant a package saying, "For the commander." Then he left. It was a package containing the two volumes by Bergamaschi, old and covered with newspaper.
When I met the lawyer for the first time in Genoa, he told me what had happened. He said that the two volumes were still in his study. He found them in the bookcase and showed them to me. I immediately recognized them, since on the spine of the cover, in red ink and in my handwriting were the call numbers of the monastary library at San Giovanni Rotondo, to which they belonged.
pg 170 to 171 "Padre Pio, Man of Hope" by Renzo Allegri

Controversial, "I no longer want to burden my brain.' lol

Padre Pio could convert well educated freemasons to the fold of the holy family.
Fascinating life, to say the least.

[edit on 25-3-2007 by clearwater]

i wonder if pio could convert a skeptical, scientifically minded atheist like richard dawkins

He is widely regarded as a miracle worker. Is Dawkins the one that did 'Religion is the root of all evil.'

Padre Pio was capable of bilocation and sometimes would appear in two places at once. That might get Dawkins thinking.

He said of his abilities: "I am a mystery to myself."

[edit on 27-3-2007 by clearwater]

When Padre Pio was not well, he would get hyperthermia, a usually fatal condition. Malignant hyperthermia is a response some people get to anaesthesia, the body temperature continues to rise and the person must be packed in ice to try to save their life. Padre Pio wasn't having the symptoms as a result of exposure to anaesthesia, but often when he wasn't feeling well, his body temperature would shoot up.

Doctors recorded his body temperature at 118 degrees when he was not feeling well. A brief list of some of the spiritual phenomena attributed to Padre Pio.

"Besides the stigmata, Padre Pio had other charisms that generally characterize the lives of the great saints and other mystics, such as, bilocation, visions prophecy, and the ability to read people's minds. These charisms were manifested in his life in a particularly strong way."pg 126

"Another phenomena that characterized Padre Pio was the fact that his body, his clothing and any objects that he touched would give off a sweet fragrance, leaving a trail in those places where he walked."pg 127

I simply adore Padre Pio. He would much prefer I look to the Holy Mother and Son. The Master once said, "You shall know them by their fruits." Padre Pio has left a legacy of hope and healing.

Unlike many these days who claim spiritual powers in the search for other kinds of power, Padre Pio was a humble, and sincere man.



[edit on 28-3-2007 by clearwater]

I also love Padre Pio. St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, also known as Cure of Ars, St. Francis of Assisi, and the Little Flower are my favorites.

These humans followed closely in the footsteps of our Lord with humble and sincere lives.

Clearwater, if your interested in Father Pio, perhaps you have heard of Father Zlatko Sudac. He's a young, stigmatic priest who, interestingly, began to receive the stigmata the day after the beatification of Father Pio. The Vatican has not released an official stance yet on him but he caused near riots when he came to New York with people just trying to get a glance of him.

I don't know what to think about him. He seems to physically fashion himself after Christ (or what the majority of people imagine Christ to look like) Long hair, short beard, etc.

In my eyes, he does look like a young Father Pio.....

Here's a couple links.

Link

Here

Thanks for that sdp333, bookmarked those. I wonder if the church has recognized the appearances at Medjugorje. I don't think they've acknowledged it yet. A stigmatist from Croatia might encourage them. Fascinating.

I'd like to ask all the incorruptibles to help Eugene. He's a quadriplegic whose 300 pound chair fell on him last Sunday when he was going to church. The ceiling of the para van was too low. He banged his forehead, his head hit the head control accelerator and he went crashing foward full speed. It's a miracle he's alive.

He needs a voice control thermostat and a complete healing would be nice, Father Sudac.

Anyone who has a moment for a prayer for Eugene, it would be appreciated.

Mahree, the little saint's one of my favorites too. I like reading about the saints. Especially St Therese's autobiography. There's so much compassion in there, it's enough to sustain a soul on a pilgrimage through earth.

I wonder what her mother thought when she told her at such a young age that she'd soon be in heaven with Jesus. As though a prize had been awarded? One wonders if in another context... It's a trait all the saints seem to possess, faith in the reward of the afterlife.