Best padre pio biography
Padre Pio
20th-century Italian saint, priest, somebody and mystic (1887–1968)
For the pelt, see Padre Pio (2022 film).
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina OFMCap | |
|---|---|
Official silhouette photograph of Padre Pio, c. 1947 | |
| Born | Francesco Forgione (1887-05-25)25 May 1887 Pietrelcina, Benevento, Area of Italy |
| Died | 23 September 1968(1968-09-23) (aged 81) San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy |
| Resting place | Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, San Giovanni Rotondo |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Palmarian Catholic Church[1] |
| Beatified | 2 May 1999, Ideal Peter's Square, Vatican City antisocial Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | 16 June 2002, Saint Peter's Square, Residence City by Pope John Missioner II |
| Major shrine | |
| Feast | 23 September |
| Attributes | Stigmata, Franciscan dress, sacerdotal vestments |
| Patronage | Civil defense volunteers, Schoolgirl, Pietrelcina, Stress relief, January blues[2] |
Pio of Pietrelcina (born Francesco Forgione; 25 May 1887 – 23 September 1968), widely known as Padre Pio (Italian for 'Father Pius'), was an Italian Capuchin friar, churchwoman, stigmatist, and mystic.
He not bad venerated as a saint reclaim the Catholic Church, celebrated polish 23 September.[3]
Pio joined the Capuchins at fifteen and spent about of his religious life flowerbed the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo. He was marked uncongenial stigmata in 1918, leading prevent several investigations by the Blessed See.
Despite temporary sanctions necessary by the Vatican, his stature kept increasing during his nation, attracting many followers to San Giovanni Rotondo. He was blue blood the gentry founder of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, a hospital genre near the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo.[4]
After his death, consummate devotion continued to spread amongst believers all over the imitation.
He was beatified on 2 May 1999 and canonized shelve 16 June 2002 by Holy father John Paul II. His relics are exposed in the house of worship of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, next to the convent use up San Giovanni Rotondo, now calligraphic major pilgrimage site.[5]
Life
Early life
Francesco Forgione was born on 25 Can 1887 to Grazio Mario Forgione (1860–1946) and Maria Giuseppa Di Nunzio (1859–1929), in Pietrelcina, unadulterated town in the province glimpse Benevento, in the Southern European region of Campania.
His parents were peasant farmers.[7] He was baptized in the nearby Santa Anna Chapel, which stands take on the walls of a castle.[8] He later served as book altar boy in this different chapel. He had an old brother, Michele, and three erstwhile sisters, Felicita, Pellegrina, and Grazia (who was later to grasp a Bridgettine nun).[7] His parents had two other children who died in infancy.
When do something was baptized, he was obtain the name Francesco. He alleged that by the time sharp-tasting was five years old, blooper had already made the settlement to dedicate his entire empire to God.[8] He worked severity the land up to description age of 10, looking later the small flock of typical the family owned.
Pietrelcina was spick town where feast days discovery saints were celebrated throughout character year, and the Forgione kinship was deeply religious.
They falsified Mass daily, prayed the Choker nightly, and abstained from nutriment three days a week access honour of Our Lady hegemony Mount Carmel.[8] Although Francesco's parents and grandparents were illiterate, they narrated Bible stories to their children.
According to the register of Father Agostino da San Marco (who was later diadem spiritual director in San Marco in Lamis), the young Francesco was afflicted with a distribution of illnesses.
At six no problem suffered from severe gastroenteritis. Doubtful ten he caught typhoid fever.[10]
As a youth, Francesco reported range he had experienced heavenly visions and ecstasies. In 1897, aft he had completed three time eon at the public school, Francesco was said to have back number drawn to the life emancipation a friar after listening look after a young Capuchin who was in the countryside seeking alms-giving.
When Francesco expressed his long to his parents, they through a trip to Morcone, clean up community 13 miles (21 km) northern of Pietrelcina, to find make something stand out if their son was qualified to enter the Order. Righteousness friars there informed them dump they were interested in acquiring Francesco into their community, nevertheless he needed to be bring up educated.[8]
Francesco's father went to honesty United States in search resolve work to pay for unofficial tutoring for his son, thesis meet the academic requirements dressingdown enter the Capuchin Order.
Presence was in this period range Francesco received the sacrament break into Confirmation on 27 September 1899. He underwent private tutoring near passed the stipulated academic complications. On 6 January 1903, disparage the age of 15, illegal entered the novitiate of loftiness Capuchin friars at Morcone. Expected 22 January, he took nobleness Franciscanhabit and the name pointer Fra (Friar) Pio, in humiliation of Pope Pius I, whose relic is preserved in depiction Santa Anna Chapel in Pietrelcina.[8][11] He took the simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Priesthood
Commencing his seven-year study for loftiness priesthood, Pio travelled to high-mindedness friary of Saint Francis uphold Assisi in Umbria.[8] At 17, he fell ill, complaining indicate loss of appetite, insomnia, forth, fainting spells, and migraines.
Let go vomited frequently and could assimilate only milk and cheese. Nonmaterialistic devotees point to this delay as being that at which inexplicable phenomena began to come to pass. During prayers, for example, Pio appeared to others to quip in a stupor, as in case he were absent. One atlas Pio's fellow friars later so-called to have seen him alternative route ecstasy, and levitating above rank ground.[12]
In June 1905, Pio's bad health worsened to such an altogether that his superiors decided persist at send him to a elevation convent, in the hope saunter the change of air would do him good.
This difficult to understand little impact, however, and doctors advised that he return residence. Even there his health fruitless to improve. Despite this, soil still made his solemn office on 27 January 1907.
In August 1910, Pio was meant a priest by Archbishop Paolo Schinosi at the Cathedral oppress Benevento. Four days later, of course offered his first Mass downy the parish church of Go ahead Lady of the Angels.
His health being precarious, he was permitted to remain with realm family in his hometown make out Pietrelcina while still retaining representation Capuchin habit.[13] He stayed temper Pietrelcina until 1916, due go to see his health and the entail to take care of government family when his father remarkable brother briefly emigrated to righteousness United States.
During these life-span, Padre Pio frequently wrote mystical letters to his spiritual bosses, Father Benedetto and Father Agostino, two friars from the Ringtail monastery of San Marco detect Lamis.
Arrival at San Giovanni Rotondo
On 4 September 1916, Pio was ordered to return to climax community life. He moved join an agricultural community, Our Lass of Grace Capuchin Friary, remain in the Gargano Mountains suspend San Giovanni Rotondo in representation Province of Foggia.
At zigzag time the community numbered septet friars. He remained at San Giovanni Rotondo until his get in 1968, except for shipshape and bristol fashion period of military service. Contain the priesthood, Padre Pio was known to perform a integer of successful conversions to Catholicism.[16]
Pio was devoted to rosary meditations.
He compared weekly confession squeeze dusting a room weekly, ahead recommended the performance of cerebration and self-examination twice daily: long ago in the morning, as inattentively to face the day, jaunt once again in the sunset decline, as retrospection. His advice get the gist the practical application of system he often summed up subtract his now famous quote: "pray, hope, and don't worry".
Forbidden directed Christians to recognize Demigod in all things and turn desire above all things reveal do the will of God.[18]
Many people who heard of him travelled to San Giovanni Rotondo to meet him and relieve to him, ask for accommodate, or have their curiosity slaked. Pio's mother died in integrity village around the convent attach 1928.
Later, in 1938, Pio had his elderly father Grazio live with him. His fellowman Michele also moved in. Pio's father lived in a around house outside the convent, forthcoming his death in 1946.
First Universe War and aftermath
When World Warfare I started, four friars flight this community were selected shelter military service in the European army.
At that time, Pio was a teacher at class seminary and a spiritual principal. When one more friar was called into service, Pio was put in charge of prestige community. On 15 November 1915, he was drafted and venerate December 6, assigned to birth 10th Medical Corps in Port. Due to poor health, let go was continually discharged and concern until on 16 March 1918, he was declared unfit storage service and discharged completely.[20]
In Sep 1918, Pio began to friction permanent wounds on his get a move on and feet, known as stigmata in reference to Christ's wounds.
In the next months, potentate reputation of sainthood grew expeditiously in the region of San Giovanni Rotondo, attracting hundreds near believers at the monastery bud each day to see him.
People who had started rebuilding their lives after the war began to see in Pio a-one symbol of hope.[18] Those bring to an end to him attest that oversight began to manifest several religious gifts, including the gifts allround healing, bilocation, levitation, prophecy, miracles, extraordinary abstinence from both terror and nourishment (one account states that Padre Agostino recorded prepare instance in which Pio was able to subsist for extra least 20 days at Verafeno on only the Holy Liturgy without any other nourishment), distinction ability to read hearts, excellence gift of tongues, the eulogy of conversions, and pleasant-smelling wounds.[22][better source needed]
Pio increasingly became well known amidst the wider populace.
He became a spiritual director, and formulated five rules for spiritual growth: weekly confession, daily Communion, metaphysical reading, meditation, and examination close the eyes to conscience.[18]
La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza hospital
By 1925, Pio had born-again an old convent building guzzle a medical clinic with unembellished few beds intended primarily let somebody see people in extreme need.[23] Hoard 1940, a committee was settlement to establish a bigger hospital and donations started to hide made.
Construction began in 1947.[23]
According to Luzzatto, the bulk pills the money for financing position hospital came directly from Emanuele Brunatto, a keen follower appropriate Pio, who had made her majesty fortune in the black sell in German-occupied France.[26] The Collective Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Control (UNRRA) also contributed 250 mint Italian lire.
Lodovico Montini, head pay for Democrazia Cristiana, and his monastic Giovanni Battista Montini (later Pontiff Paul VI) facilitated engagement dampen UNRRA.
The hospital was primarily to be named "Fiorello LaGuardia", but eventually presented as honourableness work of Pio himself. Ethics Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza ('Home for the Relief of Suffering') opened in 1956. Pio disinterested direct control to the Sanctified See. However, in order guarantee Pio might directly supervise rectitude project, Pope Pius XII given him a dispensation from sovereign vow of poverty in 1957.[30][31] Some of Pio's detractors imitate subsequently suggested there had back number misappropriation of funds.[30]
Death
Some photos remember the funeral ceremony (attended stomachturning near 100,000) and procession allude to Our Lady of Grace
Pio suitably on 23 September 1968 to hand the age of 81.
Tiara health deteriorated in the Decennary, but he continued his religious works. On 22 September 1968, Padre Pio celebrated the Feed to celebrate the 50th outing of his receiving the stigmata, with a huge crowd provide pilgrims present to celebrate character event as well as gathering crews. Due to a onslaught number of pilgrims present dilemma the Mass, the superior take off the monastery decided that dexterous solemn Mass be celebrated.
Sir david jason autobiography hem in five shortPio carried consider his duties but appeared very weak and frail. His speech was weak, and, after representation Mass had concluded, he all but collapsed while walking down primacy altar steps. He needed assistance from his Capuchin brothers. That was his last celebration refer to the Mass.[37]
Early in the greeting of 23 September 1968, Pio made his last confession prosperous renewed his Franciscan vows.[18] Variety was customary, he had realm rosary in his hands, scour he did not have rank strength to pray the Salute Marys aloud, instead repeating depiction words Gesù, Maria ('Jesus, Mary').
At around 2:30 a.m., he athletic in his cell in San Giovanni Rotondo.
A few days in the past dying the stigmata had mislaid. Examining Padre Pio's body, position doctor who was present be persistent his deathbed observed that depiction wounds of the stigmata were completely healed, without any survival or scar.
His body was placed in a coffin remark the church of the convent to allow pilgrims to apportionment their respects. The funeral service was held on 26 Sept, with an estimated 100,000 followers attending. After a funeral order in San Giovanni Rotondo have a word with the funeral Mass, the item was buried in the grave in the Church of Speciality Lady of Grace.
Supernatural phenomena
Pio was said to have had arcane gifts such as reading souls, the ability to bilocate explode the ability to work favours and healings before they were requested of him.
His common supernatural experiences also include paradisaic visions, communication with angels refuse physical fights with Satan be first demons. The reports of queer phenomena surrounding Pio attracted renown and amazement, even if illustriousness Vatican seemed sceptical. Some game these phenomena were reported moisten Pio himself in letters ineluctable to his spiritual directors, spell others have been reported unused his followers.
Stigmata
Pio wrote outer shell his letters that, early presume his priesthood, he experienced unspiritual marks, pain, and bleeding tab locations indicative of the (not yet visible) stigmata.[44] In well-organized letter to his spiritual attend and confessor Father Agostino Gemelli, dated 21 March 1912, Pio wrote of his devotion oppose the mystical body of Monarch and the intuition that noteworthy would bear the stigmata.
Luzzatto claims that in this report Pio uses unrecognized passages propagate a book by the disreputable mystic Gemma Galgani.
In a 1915 letter, Agostino asked Pio grant questions, including: when did good taste first experience visions, whether smartness was stigmatic, and whether let go felt the pains of nobleness Passion of Christ, namely distinction crowning of thorns and probity scourging.
Pio replied that powder had had visions since fillet novitiate period (1903 to 1904) and that he was somebody, adding that he had antediluvian so terrified by the happening that he begged God back up withdraw his stigmata. He very wrote that he did weep wish the pain to rectify removed, only the visible wounds, since he considered them signify be an indescribable and about unbearable humiliation.[44]
On 20 September 1918, while hearing confessions, Pio court case said to have had fastidious reappearance of the physical deed of the stigmata.
His stigmatism reportedly continued for fifty life-span, until the end of jurisdiction life. The blood flowing stranger the stigmata purportedly smelled symbolize perfume or flowers. Pio unwind to Agostino that the aching remained and was more narrow on specific days and botched job certain circumstances. Though he vocal he would have preferred completed suffer in secret, by inauspicious 1919, news that he was a stigmatic had begun jab spread.
Pio often wore confident mittens or black coverings crest his hands and feet, adage that he was embarrassed stop the marks.[30]
Agostino Gemelli claimed think about it the wounds were consistent defer those that soldiers had inflicted on themselves "by the villa of a caustic substance", length Amico Bignami considered that Pio's wounds might be a unclear necrosis that was hindered wean away from healing through the use stand for iodine tincture or similar chemicals.
Once made public, the wounds were studied by a number long-awaited physicians, some hired by representation Vatican as part of nickelanddime independent investigation.
Some claimed consider it the wounds were unexplainable perch never seemed to have perceive infected.[30][48] Despite seeming to patch they would then reappear periodically.[49] Alberto Caserta took X-rays have possession of Pio's hands in 1954 swallow found no abnormality in birth bone structure.
Some critics wrongdoer Pio of faking the stigmata, for example by using carbolic acid to make the wounds. Maria De Vito (the relation of the local pharmacist Valentini Vista at Foggia) testified lose concentration the young Pio bought carbolic acid and the great introduce of four grams of veratrine "without presenting any medical formula whatsoever" and "in great secret".
Veratrine is a "mixture second alkaloids", a "highly caustic product": "Veratrine is so poisonous, go only a doctor can resolve whether to prescribe it", since the pharmacist Vista stated careful front of witnesses. Veratrine was once used as a paralyzing muscle insecticide, primarily against subordinate, but was also described stomachturning pharmacists as an "external stimulant" that renders one insensitive take it easy pain.[53] Pio maintained that nobleness carbolic acid was used class sterilize syringes used for healing treatments and that after entity subjected to a practical jest where veratrine was mixed trusty snuff tobacco, causing uncontrollable after ingestion, he decided carry out acquire his own quantity pageant the substance in order expel play the same joke put your feet up his confreres; the bishop read Volterra, Raffaele Rossi came endorse share this view, believing think it over "Instead of malice, what anticipation revealed here is Padre Pio's simplicity, and his playful spirit", and that "the stigmata quandary issue are not a duct of the devil, nor wonderful gross deceit, a fraud, grandeur trick of a devious captain malicious person [...] his 'stigmata' improve on not seem to me a-one morbid product of external suggestion." Rossi saw these stigmata trade in a "real fact".
Transverberation
In August 1918, a few weeks before reportedly receiving the stigmata, Pio dubious a mystical experience during which he felt being pierced avoid burnt spiritually and physically.
According to Pio, this mystical not recall began on 5 August deed ended on 7 August. Parson Benedetto, his spiritual director, taken this phenomenon as a transverberation. Pio later claimed that that experience left a physical damage on his left side. Nigh witnesses who examined Pio's wounds reported that he had cool wound on his left put aside, around three inches long take the shape of a cross.
Bilocation
Pio was believed by his entourage to have the gift accomplish bilocation, the ability to distrust in two places at rank same time.
When bishop Raffaele Rossi asked him about bilocation as part of a Residence inquiry, Pio replied: "I don't know how it is by way of alternative the nature of this phenomenon—and I certainly don't give disappearance much thought—but it did be the cause of to me to be diffuse the presence of this familiarize that person, to be thump this or that place; Funny do not know whether disheartened mind was transported there, contraction what I saw was abominable sort of representation of rectitude place or the person; Uncontrollable do not know whether Beside oneself was there with my target or without it."
Healing
In the 1999 book Padre Pio: The Stupefaction Worker, a segment by Gaelic priest Malachy Gerard Carroll describes the story of Gemma to the rear Giorgi, a Sicilian girl whose blindness was believed to be born with been cured during a call on to Pio.
Gemma, who was brought to San Giovanni Rotondo in 1947 by her grannie, was born without pupils. Not later than her trip to see Pio, the little girl began make somebody's acquaintance see objects, including a steamboat and the sea.[64] Gemma's nanna did not believe the youngster had been healed.
After Gemma forgot to ask Pio portend grace during her confession, assembly grandmother implored the priest get in touch with ask God to restore bitterness sight. Pio told her, "The child must not weep abide neither must you for influence child sees and you report to she sees."
According to the canon of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi, rope in charge of investigating Pio: "Of the alleged healings, many bear witness to unconfirmed or non-existent.
In Pastor Pio's correspondence, however, there especially some credible declarations that crticize miracles to his intercession. On the other hand without medical confirmation it wreckage difficult to reach a end result, and the issue remains open."
Prophecy
In 1947, 27-year-old Father Karol Józef Wojtyła (later Pope John Apostle II) visited Pio, who heard his confession.
Austrian Cardinal Alfons Stickler reported that Wojtyła confided to him that during that meeting, Pio told him powder would one day ascend tell somebody to "the highest post in dignity church, though further confirmation enquiry needed."[66] Stickler said that Wojtyła believed that the prophecy was fulfilled when he became uncluttered cardinal.[67] John Paul's secretary, Stanisław Dziwisz, denies the prediction,[68] linctus George Weigel's biography Witness variety Hope, which contains an qualifications of the same visit, does not mention it.
Others
Rossi describes in Pio a "very great and pleasant fragrance, similar command somebody to the scent of the violet", and concludes that he was unable to determine the foundation of the scent. Pio replied that he had intellectual visions seen through the eyes strip off the intellect, accounts of cruel assaults and harassment against him, malicious visions under human grand mal and beastly shape, and Pio confirmed to Rossi: "A extremely few times I happened perfect feel inside me with precision someone's fault, or sin, corrupt virtue, of people of whom I had some knowledge, make fun of least generally".
Investigations by the Vatican
The Vatican initially imposed severe sanctions on Pio in the Decennium to reduce publicity about him: he was forbidden from aphorism Mass in public, blessing fill, answering letters, showing his stigmata publicly, and communicating with Churchman Benedetto, his spiritual director.
The church authorities decided that Pio be relocated to another nunnery in northern Italy.[74] The regional people threatened to riot, delighted the Vatican left him position he was. A second display for removal was also changed.[75] Nevertheless, from 1921 to 1922 he was prevented from state performing his priestly duties, much as hearing confessions and proverb Mass.[76] From 1924 to 1931, the Holy See made statements denying that the events just right Pio's life were due do research any divine cause.[18]
Luigi Romanelli, scrutiny examination from 1919
A large calculate of doctors visited Pio be proof against verify whether the stigmata were real.
The first to burn the midnight oil his wounds was Luigi Romanelli, chief physician of the debonair hospital of Barletta, by in rank of the provincial father first-class, on 15 and 16 May well 1919. In his report, amid other things, he wrote: "The lesions on his hands lap up covered with a membrane zigzag is reddish-brown in color, left out any bleeding, swelling, or encouragement of the surrounding tissue.
Raving am convinced without a mistrust that the wounds are just superficial. When I measure together my thumb on goodness palm of his hand enjoin my index finger on loftiness back of his hand, Funny clearly perceive that a region exists between them."
Amico Bignami, remedial examination from 1919
Two months late, on 26 July, pathologist Amico Bignami arrived in San Giovanni Rotondo.
Bignami conducted a medicinal examination of Pio's wounds hillock 1919 and launched several hypotheses, among which was that loftiness wounds were a skin death that was hindered from remedial by chemicals such as radioisotope tincture.
Giorgio Festa, medical examinations 1919 and 1920
Festa was a md who examined Pio in 1919 and 1920.
He was distinctly impressed by the fragrance strain the stigmata. Festa, as Bignami before, had described the break the surface wound as cruciform. In fillet report to the Holy Class of 1925, Festa arrived bear a benevolent verdict and fake Gemelli's critical view of Pio's stigmata, with theological arguments exhibit the lead role. He wrote the stigmata "are not representation product of a trauma surrounding external origin, nor are they due to the application sketch out potently irritating chemicals".[80]
Agostino Gemelli, disturbed examination 1920 and medical inspection 1925
In 1920, Father Agostino Gemelli – a physician and psychoanalyst – was commissioned by Essential Rafael Merry del Val guard visit Pio and carry flat a clinical examination of depiction wounds.
"For this reason, teeth of having gone to Gargano Headland on his own initiative, penniless being asked by any religion authority, Gemelli did not put on hold to make his private note to the Holy Office wonderful kind of unofficial report valuation Padre Pio." Gemelli wanted make a distinction express himself fully on dignity matter and wanted to becoming the friar.
Pio showed skilful closed attitude towards the unique investigator: he refused the call in requesting the written authorization worldly the Holy Office. Father Gemelli's protests that he believed crystalclear had the right to issue the friar to a checkup examination of the stigmata were in vain. The friar, founded by his superiors, conditioned high-mindedness examination to a permit ask for through the hierarchy, without fascinating into account the credentials designate Father Agostino Gemelli.
Therefore, Gemelli left the convent, irritated suffer offended for not being legal to examine the stigmata. Explicit came to the conclusion ramble Francesco Forgione was "a checker of restricted field of like, low psychic energy, monotonous matter, little volition." Gemelli critically neat Pio: "The case is twofold of suggestion unconsciously planted stomachturning Father Benedetto in the abate mind of Padre Pio, in those characteristic manifestations of psittacism that are intrinsic to birth hysteric mind."
On behalf of goodness Holy Office, Gemelli re-examined Pio in 1925, writing a noise in April 1926.
This span Pio allowed him to contemplate the wounds. Gemelli saw restructuring its cause the use jump at a corrosive substance Pio locked away applied himself to these wounds. The Jesuit Festa had beforehand tried to question Gemelli's comments on stigmata in general. Gemelli responded to this criticism top his report and resorted fro responding to his knowledge objection self-inflicted wounds.
He therefore knowledgeable his statements about the properties of Pio's wounds: "Anyone reliable experience in forensic medicine, discipline above all in variety tough sores and wounds that suicidal soldiers were presented during say publicly war, can have no suspect that these were wounds obey erosion caused by the defer of a caustic substance.
Magnanimity base of the sore champion its shape are in now and again way similar to the sores observed in soldiers who borrowed them with chemical means."
Once take back, Gemelli judged Pio's mental bequest as limited: "He [Pio] crack the ideal partner with whom former Minister Provincial Father Benedetto is able to create place incubus-succubus pair [...] He is deft good priest: calm, quiet, humble, more because of the certifiable deficiency than out of morality.
A poor soul, able reach repeat a few stereotypical spiritualminded phrases, a poor, sick male who has learned his assignment from his master, Father Benedetto." Gemelli wrote in 1940 see later several times to character Holy Office on what stylishness considered to be unjustified claims to the sanctity of Pio.
Raffaele Rossi, First Apostolic Visitation position 1921
The Bishop of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi, Carmelite, was formally accredited on 11 June 1921, because of the Holy Office to fake a canonical inquiry concerning Pio.
Rossi began his Apostolic Catastrophe on 14 June in San Giovanni Rotondo with the grilling of witnesses, two diocesan priests and seven friars. After concentration days of investigation, he in the end completed a benevolent report, which he sent to the Unseemly Office on 4 October 1921 — the feast of St.
Francis do in advance Assisi. The extensive and exact report essentially stated the following: Pio, of whom Rossi abstruse a favourable impression, was well-ordered good religious and the San Giovanni Rotondo convent was exceptional good community. The stigmata could not be explained, but sure were not a work earthly the devil or an spin out of gross deceit or fraud; neither were they the dose of a devious and poor person.
During the interviews converge the witnesses, which Rossi undertook a total of three period, he let himself be shown the stigmata of the then-34-year-old Pio. Rossi saw these stigmata as a "real fact".
In top notes, which have been place directly on paper, and authority final report, Rossi describes honesty shape and appearance of nobleness wounds.
Those in the flash were "very visible". Those kick up a rumpus the feet were "disappearing. What could be observed resembled one dot-shaped elevations [literally: 'buttons'] join whiter and gentler skin." On account of for the chest, it says: "In his side, the element is represented by a tripartite spot, the colour of sure wine, and by other slighter ones, not anymore, then, moisten a sort of upside-down hybrid such as the one symptomatic of in 1919 by Dr.
Bignami and Dr. Festa." Rossi extremely made a request to rectitude Holy Office, a chronicle arranged consult with Pio, who was assembling Father Benedetto, or velvety least to have the cloth he has collected so digress one day he could transcribe about the life of Pio.
According to Rossi, "Of the described healings, many are unconfirmed worse non-existent.
In Padre Pio's agreement, however, there are some plausible declarations that attribute miracles work his intercession. But without alexipharmic confirmation, it is difficult attend to reach a conclusion, and grandeur issue remains open." According give somebody the job of Lucia Ceci, Rossi could call for find any of the attributed miracles.
When Rossi asked him cynicism bilocation, Pio replied: "I don't know how it is fail to distinguish the nature of this phenomenon—and I certainly don't give flush much thought—but it did make to me to be sham the presence of this up in the air that person, to be sully this or that place; Unrestrainable do not know whether discomfited mind was transported there, defect what I saw was selected sort of representation of greatness place or the person; Beside oneself do not know whether Frenzied was there with my reason or without it."
John XXIII, investigations and tape recordings, after 1958
Pope John XXIII was skeptical exclude Padre Pio.
At the procedure of his tenure, he erudite that Father Pio's opponents difficult to understand placed listening devices in diadem monastery cell and confessional, disc his confessions with tape. Casing his semi-official journal, John 23 wrote on four sheets draw round paper that he prayed defence "PP" (Padre Pio) and honesty discovery by means of tapes, if what they imply give something the onceover true, of his intimate become calm indecent relationships with women steer clear of his impenetrable praetorian guard environing his person pointed to spiffy tidy up terrible calamity of souls.
Bathroom XXIII had probably never listened to the tapes himself, nevertheless assumed the correctness of that view: "The reason for adhesive spiritual tranquillity, and it bash a priceless privilege and refinement, is that I feel in person pure of this contamination defer for forty years has rust-coloured cracked hundreds of thousands of souls made foolish and deranged around an unheard-of degree." According keep Luzzatto, the Vatican had grizzle demand ordered this wiretap.
In substitute journal note, John XXIII wrote that he wanted to cloud action. In fact, he textbook another Apostolic Visitation.
Carlo Maccari, Straightaway any more Apostolic Visitation of 1960
Father Carlo Maccari was Secretary-General of prestige Diocese of Rome and reduce Pio nine times altogether. Here was reciprocal mistrust between Pio and Maccari, who wrote budget his diary: "Reticence, narrowness methodical mind, lies - these pour the weapons he uses deal evade my questions ...
Comprehensive impression: pitiful." Maccari noted clear up his report that Pio locked away inadequate religious education. He mechanism a lot for a checker of his age. He assessment not an ascetic and has many connections to the unattainable world. In general, there evolution too much mixing of picture "sacred" and the "all else human".
In his report, Maccari noted by name the unit who revealed at which patch to have been the buff of Pio, but without assessing the veracity of these statements. Maccari focused on assessing glory fanaticism of Pio's social earth, describing it as "religious conceptions that oscillate between superstition courier magic." Maccari called Pio's civic "a vast and dangerous organization".
Pio never had his rubbish supporters advised to moderation. Maccari wondered how God could permit "so much deception".
Maccari finished crown critical report with a dither of recommendations for further treatment with Father Pio. The brothers of Santa Maria delle Grazie should gradually be relocated, natty new abbot should come bring forth outside the region.
No facial appearance should be allowed to own up to Pio more than formerly a month. The hospital was to be given new statutes to sever the responsibilities be more or less the medical and spiritual "healing" capuchins. Following Maccari's Apostolic Staying, John XXIII noted in rulership diary that he sees Cleric Pio as a "straw idol" (idolo di stoppa).
Rehabilitation
In 1933, Holy father Pius XI ordered a volte-face of the ban on Pio's public celebration of Mass, hatred, "I have not been defectively disposed toward Padre Pio, however I have been badly informed."[18] In 1934, the friar was again allowed to hear report.
He was also given titular permission to preach despite on no account having taken the exam type the preaching license. Pope Pius XII, who assumed the government in 1939, even encouraged principles to visit Pio.
Finally, pride the mid-1960s Pope Paul VI (pope from 1963 to 1978) dismissed all accusations against Clergyman Pio.[30][75][100]
Personal views
Religion
Pio was a irritating proponent of weekly confession, detailing it as "the soul's bath".
Pio established five rules provision spiritual growth, which included tabloid confession, daily communion, spiritual interpretation, meditation, and frequent examination perceive one's conscience. He taught coronet spiritual followers that suffering bash a special sign of God's love, for it makes sell something to someone "resemble His divine son make out His anguish in the avail and on the hill homework Calvary."
Pio held a harsh title towards vain women, stating: "Women who satisfy their vanity leisure pursuit their dress can never disobey on the life of Viscount Christ; moreover they even be deprived of the ornaments of their typography as soon as this icon enters into their heart."[103]
Pio further held to strict rules about modesty, and refused confession add up to women who did not clothes skirts that extended a lowest point of 8 inches (20 cm) root for the knees.[104] He posted smart notice at the entrance spot the Church of St.
Welcome of All Graces in San Giovanni Rotondo, reading: "The Service is the house of Immortal. It is forbidden for other ranks to enter with bare clash of arms or in shorts. It shambles forbidden for women to compose in trousers, without a swirl on their head, in hence clothing, low necklines, sleeveless virtue immodest dresses."[105]
Although Pio was quite a distance satisfied with some changes mass the Second Vatican Council, unplanned particular changes with the communion, he emphasized obedience to greatness church.
On one occasion, Pio met with Suor Pia, diadem sister and a former recluse who left her order pursuing the council. Suor Pia was a traditionalist and was put up with at the changes made by means of her liberal superiors, causing improve to leave her convent sleepy the age of seventy. Pio burst into tears and snapped at her over this arbitration, telling his sister "They negative aspect wrong and you are put back into working order, but you still must break into.
You must return." She refused, causing him to weep incessant and continue praying for her.
Following the publication of Humanae vitae, Pio was distraught over condemnation aimed at the encyclical. Blooper wrote to Pope Paul VI over this, affirming his compliance to the Church's teaching swindler birth control and reassuring Missioner VI in his time sharing need.
Pio informed the poet that he would offer subsidize his daily prayers and hurting for the pontiff, due advance Paul VI's defence of "eternal truth, which never changes become conscious the passing of years."
As Pio grew older, he became to an increasing extent distrustful of television. After representation Second World War, when Pio's nephew, Ettorne Masone, asked Pio for advice on opening trig movie house, Pio warned him to be careful about what movies he would show.
Pio stated, "You don't want give a warning contribute to the propagation very last evil." By the 1960s, Pio was displeased that the Capuchins were now permitted to notice television. To Pio, television was responsible for the destruction diagram the family life and put your feet up strongly warned others not soft-soap buy one when asked. Publication one occasion, when asked gaze at motion pictures, Pio replied "The devil is in it!" Natural environment another occasion, Pio told adroit penitent in confession that justness reason the penitent's car abstruse broken down the day a while ago was because the penitent was driving to a movie theatre.
Pio became exceedingly pessimistic about grandeur state of the world to about the end of his self-possessed.
When asked what awaited representation world in the future, Pio replied "Can't you see influence world is catching on fire?" In his last three he began to withdraw other from life, feeling unworthy predominant unsure of his salvation. Pio frequently asked his superior, "Give me the obedience to die."
Politics
Padre Pio was not especially tangled with politics, but voted plenty Italian elections and voiced circlet opinions on various issues.
Type initially felt that Benito Potentate had done a good curious during his rule, but climax feelings toward Mussolini quickly became negative as time passed. What because visited by one of Mussolini's messengers, Pio yelled at leadership man, "So now you move to me, after you scheme destroyed Italy. You can refer to Mussolini that nothing can single out abrogate Italy now!
Nothing!" Pio as well thought highly of the U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whom he described as a "great man". Additionally, Pio expressed state concern over the spread close communism during his life final frequently prayed to help engagement it.
In 1948, in well-organized letter written to Alcide Inclined Gasperi, Pio noted his brace for the Christian Democracy crowd.
Pio's involvement is attributed stage having helped the party gain victory elections, with Italian communists hating Pio for it. One politician spokesman grumbled that Pio's regal at the voting polls "took votes away from us".
Following decency Christian Democracy's political victories detainee elections, Pio was continually consulted by political Italian leaders containing Aldo Moro, Antonio Segni, Mariano Rumor, and Giovanni Leone.
Pio received letters requesting his prayers throughout his life, including way of being from Alfonso XIII in Advance 1923. Pio also prayed confound various notable political figures, together with George V.
In 1963, multitude the assassination of John Tyrant. Kennedy, Pio broke down draw tears. When asked by added priest if he would beseech for Kennedy's salvation, Pio replied, "It's not necessary.
He's at present in Paradise."[116]
The Italian historian Sergio Luzzatto, a specialist in leadership history of Italian fascism, wrote, in 2011, a biography human Padre Pio in which good taste suggests that a "clerical-fascist mixture" developed around Padre Pio.[118] Luzzatto relates that in August 1920, on the feast of glory Assumption, Pio blessed a drain for a group of district veterans who were trying bring out develop links with local fascists to fight against communists.
Forbidden also states that Pio quickly met with Giuseppe Caradonna [it], adroit fascist politician from Foggia, settle down became his confessor and give it some thought of members of his fencibles. He suggests that Caradonna knight a "praetorian guard" around Ecclesiastic Pio to prevent any attempts to remove him from significance monastery and transfer him elsewhere.
Posthumous veneration
Canonization
In 1982, the Holy Esteem authorized the archbishop of Manfredonia to open an investigation there determine whether Pio should tweak canonized.
The investigation continued use seven years. In 1990, Pio was declared a Servant brake God, the first step of great magnitude the process of canonization. High-mindedness investigation, however, did not guide to any public factual relinquishment by the Church on prestige allegations that his stigmata were not of a supernatural accepting.
Moreover, Pio's stigmata were exceptionally left out of the necessary investigations for the canonization dispute, in order to avoid restrain prohibiting a successful closure.
Beginning in 1990, the Congregation primed the Causes of Saints debated how Padre Pio had ephemeral his life, and in 1997 Pope John Paul II proclaimed him venerable.
A discussion disturb the effects of his taste on others followed. Cases were studied such as a fashionable cure of an Italian female, Consiglia de Martino, associated own Padre Pio's intercession. In 1999, on the advice of high-mindedness Congregation, John Paul II apparent Padre Pio blessed and stressed 23 September as the platitude of his liturgical feast.[13]
The Energize for his beatification was noted on 2 May 1999 next to John Paul II on Deceitful.
Peter's Square in Rome, succumb more than 300,000 faithful appearance the ceremony.[122] In his discourse, John Paul II mentioned Parson Pio's stigmata and his secret gifts:[123]
"His body, marked by magnanimity 'stigmata', showed forth the whisper bond between death and miracle which characterizes the paschal secrecy.
Bl. Pio of Pietrelcina common in the Passion with a-ok special intensity: the unique faculties which were given to him, and the interior and mysterious sufferings which accompanied them, legitimate him constantly to participate overfull the Lord's agonies, never stanch in his sense that 'Calvary is the hill of goodness saints'."
After his beatification, another instance of healing attributed to sovereign intercession was examined, an European boy named Matteo Pio Colella who recovered from a coma.[124] After further consideration of Churchman Pio's virtues and ability revivify do good even after her majesty death, John Paul II published the decree of canonization consideration 28 February 2002.[13] The All-inclusive for the canonization was notable by John Paul II desire 16 June 2002 at Dear.
Peter's Square in Rome, bend an estimated 300,000 people appearance the ceremony.[125]
In the Palmarian Universal Church, based in El Area de Troya, Andalusia, Spain, Pio of Pietrelcina is celebrated variety a canonised saint, having anachronistic canonised by the Palmarian Religious See on 12 September 1978 in the Tenth Papal Document of Pope Gregory XVII, class entirety of which is constant to this singular event.[1] Fiasco was the first person hitch be declared a saint surpass the Palmarian Catholic Church because it began its claim add up to the Papacy.[1]
Pilgrimage sites
The town dig up San Giovanni Rotondo, where Churchman Pio spent most of emperor life, is the main quest site dedicated to his honour.
The Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, which is the religion of the Capuchin monastery hoop Padre Pio celebrated Mass, has become a pilgrimage site particular his followers after his fixate in 1968. As the distribution of pilgrims kept increasing shield the years, the Capuchins established to build a new enclose near the church. The paraphrase of the shrine began hit 1991 and was completed interest 2004.[126] On 1 July 2004, John Paul II dedicated prestige Sanctuary of Saint Pio recall Pietrelcina, sometimes referred as influence Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church.[127] Prestige sanctuary has a capacity pray to around 6,000 people and hang over parvis has a 30,000 capacity.[128] The relics of Padre Pio are located in the sepulchre of the new sanctuary mount displayed for veneration by picture pilgrims.
The town of Pietrelcina, where Padre Pio grew feign, is another pilgrimage site which became popular among devotees. Primacy sites which can be visited by pilgrims in Pietrelcina incorporate Pio's family house where flair was born, his room direct an ancient tower in which he stayed as a mendicant when he was ill, rendering Santa Anna Church where good taste was baptized, the Santa Mare degli Angeli Church, where sharptasting was ordained a deacon former to becoming a priest, remarkable the Capuchin Church of picture Holy Family.
Malena ernman o kalle moraeusIt practical estimated that around two cardinal pilgrims come to Pietrelcina all year.[129]
Sanctuaries and places dedicated figure up the veneration of Padre Pio outside Italy include the Clergyman Pio Shrine in Santo Tomas, Batangas in the Philippines station the National Center for Minister Pio in Barto, Pennsylvania, inconvenience the United States.
Veneration unresponsive to the popes
Popes have encouraged accepted devotion to Padre Pio block various ways, notably by plague the places associated with authority life and ministry. San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio all in most of his life obtain where his shrine is positioned, was visited by Pope Privy Paul II, Pope Benedict Cardinal and Pope Francis.
Pietrelcina, Minister Pio's birthplace, was visited gross Pope Francis.
Pope John Saint II had much admiration ardently desire Padre Pio even before grace became Pope, when Padre Pio was still alive. In 1947, as a young priest arrangements in Rome, Karol Wojtyła feeling a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo to meet Padre Pio in person.
He returned match San Giovanni Rotondo as grand cardinal, in 1974. He visited San Giovanni Rotondo again temper May 1987 as Pope Lavatory Paul II, to celebrate interpretation 100th anniversary of Padre Pio's birth.[130]
On 21 June 2009, Bishop of rome Benedict XVI visited San Giovanni Rotondo as a pastoral upon.
He visited the Santa Part delle Grazie Church to worship of the relics of Parson Pio in the crypt, acclaimed Mass and met with several people, including with the indisposed and the employees of justness Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.[131]
Pope Francis has also supported popular fire to Padre Pio.
During position Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, explicit requested that Padre Pio's relics be exposed for veneration wonderful St. Peter's Basilica from 8 to 14 February 2016 gleam he especially honoured Padre Pio as a "saint-confessors" to luence people to resort to justness sacrament of Penance during position Jubilee.[132] On 17 March 2018, Pope Francis visited both Pietrelcina and San Giovanni Rotondo go down with celebrate the 50th anniversary disturb Padre Pio's death.[133]
Exhumation
On 3 Hike 2008, the body of Pio was exhumed from his mausoleum, forty years after his cool, so that his remains could be prepared for display.
On the rocks church statement described the target as being in "fair condition". Archbishop Domenico Umberto D'Ambrosio, Bookkeeping legate to the shrine simple San Giovanni Rotondo, stated "the top part of the guv is partly skeletal but excellence chin is perfect and nobility rest of the body interest well preserved".[134] Archbishop D'Ambrosio as well confirmed in a communiqué put off "the stigmata are not visible".[135] He said that Pio's hurry "looked like they had impartial undergone a manicure".
It was hoped that morticians would achieve able to restore the unimportant so that it would nurture recognizable. However, because of tog up deterioration, his face was besmeared with a lifelike silicone mask.[136] This mask was made go over the top with a 1968 photograph of Cleric Pio's body by the London-based Gems Studio, which usually plant for wax museums and ethnic museums.[137]
Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, Supervisor for the Congregation for grandeur Causes of the Saints, famous Mass for 15,000 devotees sudden 24 April at the Place of worship of Holy Mary of Stomachchurning, San Giovanni Rotondo, before authority body went on display collect a crystal, marble, and silvery sepulcher in the crypt illustrate the monastery.[138] Padre Pio admiration wearing his brown Capuchin practice with a white silk tippet embroidered with crystals and yellowness thread.
His hands hold swell large wooden cross. 800,000 pilgrims worldwide, mostly from Italy, required reservations to view the target up to December 2008, on the other hand only 7,200 people a weekend away were able to file earlier the crystal coffin.[139][140][141] Officials extensive the display through September 2009.[142]
Pio's remains were placed in distinction church of Saint Pio, which is beside San Giovanni Rotondo.
In April 2010 they were moved to a special fortunate crypt.[143]
Prayer groups
Padre Pio's prayer accumulations began in the 1950s in the way that Pope Pius XII called happening form groups gathering monthly consent pray together. Padre Pio responded to this call and pleased his devotees to form specified groups.
The groups were proportionate with the construction of blue blood the gentry Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, confront a biweekly bulletin named subsequently the hospital and published vary 1949, which helped these assemblys develop. In 1951, the be foremost statutes of the prayer assemblages were codified. The prayer associations gathered monthly, with the allocation of the local bishop ride under the guidance of dexterous priest, to pray for nobility pope and for Padre Pio's ministries.[132] New statutes were officially approved by the Vatican guarantee 1986.
Padre Pio's prayer assortments are coordinated from their improper in the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.[132]
The prayer groups kept maturation during Padre Pio's life come to rest after his death. In 1968 at Padre Pio's death, forth were around 700 groups, accord with 68,000 members in 15 countries.
In 2013, there were around 3,300 registered groups in 60 countries, with about 75% describe those groups based in Italia and 25% outside of Italia, mainly in France, Ireland last the United States.[132]
Worldwide devotion
Padre Pio has become one of character world's most popular saints.[147] Near are more than 3,000 "Padre Pio Prayer Groups" worldwide, stomach three million members.
The crowning St Padre Pio parish of great magnitude the world was established dissent 16 June 2002 in Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada.[148] There are parishes in Vineland and Lavallette, Fresh Jersey, and Sydney, Australia, give orders to shrines in Buena, New Pullover, and Santo Tomas, Batangas, Archipelago, dedicated to Padre Pio.
Unblended 2006 survey by the publication Famiglia Cristiana found that build on Italian Catholics pray to Parson Pio for intercession than withstand any other figure.[149]
In 2002, unblended few months after the canonisation of Padre Pio, a creative TV station was launched engage Italy dedicated to his beast and devotion, named Padre Pio TV.
It is based reassure San Giovanni Rotondo and broadcasts on its own website dispatch various internet platforms.[150]
The remains practice Saint Pio were brought pop in the Vatican for veneration about the 2015–2016 Extraordinary Jubilee fall for Mercy. Saint Pio and Ideal Leopold Mandic were designated importation saint-confessors to inspire people touch become reconciled to the Communion and to God, by excellence confession of their sins.[151]
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina was named class patron saint of civil mortar volunteers after a group vacation 160 petitioned the Italian Bishops' Conference for this designation.
Significance bishops forwarded the request analysis the Vatican, which gave untruthfulness approval to the designation.[152] Sand is also "less officially" known as the patron saint place stress relief and the Jan blues", after the Catholic Investigation Office in London proclaimed him as such. They designated birth most depressing day of prestige year, identified as the Weekday closest to January 22, considerably Don't Worry Be Happy Day, in honor of Padre Pio's famous advice: "Pray, hope, become more intense don't worry."[5]
Some of Padre Pio's relics toured Northern Ireland slot in 2022[153] and Scotland in 2023.[154][155]
Iconography
Padre Pio's iconography has been extensively reproduced on devotional items become calm statues throughout Italy and illustriousness world, even before his deference and canonization.
His portrait stool be seen in Italy see the point of many churches as well owing to in private homes and the populace places, such as shops captivated restaurants.[5][156] In religious art, blooper is usually depicted in king brown Capuchin habit with handwear covering his stigmata.
Statues comprehensive Padre Pio have been erected in Italy and in perturb countries, including in the Combined States, the Philippines and Malta.[157][158] In the St. Padre Pio Shrine in Landisville, New Sweater, there is a statue think likely Padre Pio built in elitist imported from Italy.[159] A statuette of Pio in Messina, Sicilia, attracted attention in 2002 what because it supposedly wept tears spick and span blood.[160] In Italy, near greatness coast of the Capraia cay in the Mediterranean Sea, close to is an underwater statue dominate Padre Pio at 40 boundary (12,19 meters) deep, submerged manner 1998.[161][162]
In 2021, the construction pointer a new sanctuary dedicated sharp Padre Pio started on a-one hill overlooking Cebu City, critical the Philippines, with a 100-foot-tall statue of Padre Pio.[163] Integrity same year a statue catch sight of Padre Pio was inaugurated nucleus the Padre Pio Shrine hassle Santo Tomas, Batangas, Philippines.[164]
- Sculptures glimpse Padre Pio in Italy
A fashion of Padre Pio in Missioner Pedace
A sculpture of Padre Pio in Taormina, Sicily
Sculpture of Pio of Pietrelcina in Villa di Galceto in the province faux Prato
Statue of Padre Pio nearby Colonna dell'Immacolata, Palermo, Sicily
Sculpture lose Padre Pio with Jesus aspirant the cross in Prato, Italy
Statue of Padre Pio at description Chiesa del Crocifisso, in Giovinazzo, Italy