St. Padre Pio with stole

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)

Born Francesco Forgione on 25 May 1887 in Pietrelcina (Benevento), Padre Pio grew up in a poor and devout family. As a child, he survived serious fevers under circumstances considered miraculous. Early on he felt called to the priesthood.

In 1903 he became a novice with the Capuchin friars under the name Pio. Despite suffering from tuberculosis, he pursued ascetic life. After theological studies, he was ordained a priest in 1910 in Benevento. He served in his hometown until 1915, then was drafted as a military nurse but soon relieved due to health.

He eventually settled in San Giovanni Rotondo on the Gargano, where in 1918 he began to bear the stigmata. Attempts to hide them with gloves were overwhelmed by public attention, and many pilgrims flocked to see him.

Church authorities subjected him to scrutiny: from 1922 to 1934, he was restricted from saying Mass publicly or corresponding with devotees. Yet by 1940 he had become a spiritual beacon. Many testified to healing and spiritual graces received through him.

Padre Pio suffered the pains of his wounds until his death on 23 September 1968. In 1956 he founded the hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza. He was beatified in 1999 and canonized in 2002 by John Paul II, who had known him personally.

Today there are over 2,700 prayer groups in his name, and his shrine is one of Italy’s most visited pilgrim destinations.

Iconography:
in Capuchin habit, with or without stola, wearing fingerless gloves, rosary, cross

Feast Day:
September 23

Patron:
of civil protection, blood donors, volunteers in rescue services