Since All Saints Day is coming on November 1, I decided to spend this week looking at some remarkable saints.
Saint Pio
Padre Pio was born of simple, hardworking farming people on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelcina, southern Italy. He was tutored privately until his entry into the Capuchin Friars at the age of 15. Of feeble health but strong will, with the help of grace he completed the required studies and was ordained a priest in 1910. On September 20, 1918, the five wounds of our Lord's passion appeared on his body, making him the first stigmatized priest in the history of the Church. Countless numbers were attracted to his confessional and many more received his saintly and spiritual guidance through correspondence. His whole life was marked by long hours of prayer and continual austerity. His letters to his spiritual directors reveal the ineffable sufferings, physical and spiritual, which accompanied him all through his life. They also reveal his very deep union with God, his burning love for the Blessed Eucharist and our Blessed Lady. Worn out by over half a century of intense suffering and constant apostolic activity in San Giovanni Rotondo, he was called to his heavenly reward on September 23, 1968. On June 16, 2002 Pope John Paul II declared him saint. National Center for Padre Pio, Inc. http://www.ncfpp.com/.
Scripture for meditation: Matthew 26:39
He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Still, let it be as you would have it, not as I."
Scripture for reflection: Hebrews 5:7-9
In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears to the One who was able to save him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered; and when perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, designated by God as high priest according to the order of Melchizedek."
Padre Pio tells us: "No matter how great the trial...never lose heart. Have recourse, with more childlike trust, to Jesus who will never be able to resist bestowing on you some little solace and comfort. Turn to him at all times, even when the devil tries to cast a pall over your life by showing you your sins. Lift up your voice loudly to Jesus and let it express your spiritual humility, your heartfelt contrition, and your vocal prayer." Padre Pio's Words of Hope, Edited by Eileen Dunn Bertanzetti, Our Sunday Visitor.
My thoughts: I love Padre Pio. He suffered so much in his life, yet he never gave up, never took his eyes off of Christ. He reminds us that God will always give us comfort in our trials, even if they don't go away as we wish. Jesus asked for the cup to be removed. It didn't happen. Ours may not be removed, either, but as Padre Pio did, we must offer up our sufferings and never lose our trust in God. Just as Christ's suffering could not be relieved because it was for a higher purpose, so we, too, must remember that God may be using our suffering for the redemption of other souls, to affect other lives, for a purpose far beyond our understanding. He holds us in the palm of His hand. We need only trust in Him.
Prayer to Padre Pio:
O God, You gave Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, capuchin priest, the great privilege of participating in a unique way in the passion of Your Son. Grant me, through his intercession, the grace of ....which I ardently desire; and above all grant me the grace of living in conformity with the death of Jesus, to arrive at the glory of the resurrection. (3x's Glory Be to the Father...) Nulla osta. Manfredonia, 2/26/02
Padre Pio's feast day is September 23.
Recommended reading: Padre Pio: The True Story by C. Bernard Ruffin, Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division.
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