St. Padre Pio (1887-1968), a Capuchin Franciscan Friar, is one of the greatest saints of all times. He is well-known in the world for his spiritual gifts: Stigmata, Healing, Prophecy, Reading of hearts, Levitation, Bilocation, Apparition, and “odour of sanctity”. He is a great miracle-worker and a powerful intercessor. Often he has been referred to as “the greatest mystic of the 20th Century.” His feast is celebrated on September 23.
St. Padre Pio had an astonishingly unconditional, total, perennial, unwavering love and devotion to the Virgin Mary, particularly through the Holy Rosary. He would call her in many different ways: Maria, Madonna, Mamma, Madre, Madonnella etc. He knew the importance Our Lady plays in the life of every Christian and knew the importance the Rosary plays in the hands of us Christians. Padre Pio called the Rosary a weapon, because that’s exactly what it is. Concerning the Rosary, Our Lady herself said to Padre Pio: “With this weapon you will win.” Padre Pio states that “The Rosary is the ‘weapon’ against Satan for these times, a weapon of defense and salvation.” “The Holy Rosary is a powerful weapon; use it with confidence and you’ll be amazed at the results” (St. Josemaria Escriva). Blessed Pope Pius IX said “Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world”.
As Catholics, we know that the prayers of the Holy Rosary are more than just repetitious words. If we truly focus on the meditations of the mysteries, we examine deep into the heart of the Gospel of truth. Some might still be thinking “Why the Rosary?” The simple answer is because it’s powerful, and the very ‘gates of hell’ tremble when the Rosary is prayed fervently. The Rosary is the Gospel on a chain. It is a tangible sign that we are connected to Jesus Christ. When I touch my Rosary, I know that Mary is connecting me to her Son. Padre Pio once said: “Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.” And only two weeks after his election, Pope John Paul II frankly admitted: “The Rosary is my favorite prayer. A marvelous prayer! Marvelous in its simplicity and its depth.”
The Rosary was part and parcel of Padre Pio’s love for the mother of Jesus. He used this prayer to maintain and nourish his love of Mary. But he also used it as a most powerful intercessory aid for obtaining from God the help that he needed for himself and that he sought for others. Padre Pio’s devotion to the Virgin Mary was rooted in the truth that Jesus specifically wills such devotion.
Jesus chose to come to earth through Mary. Similarly, Jesus chooses that we come to Him through her; for her soul magnifies the Lord. Padre Pio said many times: “I wish I had a voice loud enough to tell all the sinners of the world to love Mary. She is the ocean across which one must travel in order to reach Jesus.” Above Padre Pio’s door were the words: “Mary is the reason of all my hope.”
Convinced of the power of the Rosary, Padre Pio always held the Rosary and would pray it many times a day. When his death was approaching, he recommended the Rosary to his spiritual children.
