Today is the Memorial of St. Padre Pio.
Memorial: September 23rd
Born: 1887
Died: 1968
Lived: Pietrelcina, San Giovanni Rotondo
Occupation: St. Pio was ordained a priest and entered monastic life when he was a young adult.
Best Known For:
St. Padre Pio is best known for the stigmata that inflicted him while he was praying before the cross in 1918. The priest was blessed with the wounds for the rest of his life. His popularity grew after World War II, when soldiers brought back stories of St. Pio to their hometowns. Many people made pilgrimages to come see the Saint. He would hear Confessions for hours; into the early morning hours if necessary. It was widely known that St. Pio was able to see into the hearts of those confessing and know who was being truthful and not holding back sins.
Interesting Facts:
Besides starting a hospital and prayer groups that continue to this day, St. Pio was known to be involved in many extraordinary happenings. For instance, he was known to bilocate (be in two places at once) and levitate (float above the ground). These occurrences were witnessed often by those outside the faith.
Patron Saint Of: Catholic Adolescents
Author Of: Letters collected under the title, Padre Pio-In My Own Words
Association with Other Saints: There is an account of St. Pio hearing Pope John Paul II’s Confession (while the Pope was still a Bishop). St. Pio told the then Bishop that he would someday be Pope.
Memorial: September 23rd
Born: 1887
Died: 1968
Lived: Pietrelcina, San Giovanni Rotondo
Occupation: St. Pio was ordained a priest and entered monastic life when he was a young adult.
Best Known For:
St. Padre Pio is best known for the stigmata that inflicted him while he was praying before the cross in 1918. The priest was blessed with the wounds for the rest of his life. His popularity grew after World War II, when soldiers brought back stories of St. Pio to their hometowns. Many people made pilgrimages to come see the Saint. He would hear Confessions for hours; into the early morning hours if necessary. It was widely known that St. Pio was able to see into the hearts of those confessing and know who was being truthful and not holding back sins.
Interesting Facts:
Besides starting a hospital and prayer groups that continue to this day, St. Pio was known to be involved in many extraordinary happenings. For instance, he was known to bilocate (be in two places at once) and levitate (float above the ground). These occurrences were witnessed often by those outside the faith.
Patron Saint Of: Catholic Adolescents
Author Of: Letters collected under the title, Padre Pio-In My Own Words
Association with Other Saints: There is an account of St. Pio hearing Pope John Paul II’s Confession (while the Pope was still a Bishop). St. Pio told the then Bishop that he would someday be Pope.