StPadre
Pio (1887-1968), a Franciscan Capuchin friar, was blessed by God in many wonderful and
mysterious ways, the most dramatic being the stigmata, which he bore for fifty
years. Among his other gifts were bilocation, prophecy, reading of souls,
levitation, apparition, conversion, ‘odour of sanctity’ and miraculous cures.
People are still being cured through his intercession in ways that cannot be
explained by medicine or science. StPio is a great miracle-worker and a
powerful intercessor whose feast is celebrated on September 23.
This humble Capuchin friar shocked the world with his life, by entirely
dedicating himself to prayer. Pope Paul VI said of the saint: “Look at all the
people from all over the world he gathered around him! Why? Because he said
Mass humbly, heard confessions from dawn to dusk and was – it is not easy to
say it – one who bore the wounds of Our Lord. He was a man of prayer and
suffering.”
Despite his suffering, he was unfailingly compassionate and
jovial. StPio’s example and spiritual guidance are beams of light for
individuals and families striving to live out the Catholic faith in a
sin-darkened world. He had great concern over the family teaching that the
family is ‘the first school and the first church’ because that’s where the
children learn to pray and learn about God.
One notable pilgrim who met the mysterious friar was StJohn Paul
II, who said: “I wish to thank the Lord for having given us dear Padre Pio, for
having given him to our generation in this very tormented century. In his love
for God and for his brothers and sisters, he is a sign of great hope.”
On June 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II officially declared his
spiritual friend, Padre Pio, a saint.
As a tireless confessor, Padre Pio sat in the confessional for
15 to 17 hours a day. He is said to have heard millions of confessions, giving
hope to the desperate and distressed penitents. When people went into the
confessional, they met a man who truly had a merciful heart, a tender
confessorreally concerned about their salvation.
The Rosary was part and parcel of Padre Pio’s love for the
Mother of Jesus. Padre Pio states that “The Rosary is the ‘weapon’ against
Satan for these times, a weapon of defence and salvation.” Love the Madonna and
pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world
today. Many know Mary only with their minds but Padre Pio knew her with his
heart. The Rosary has been the seatbelt that we need in these times of
turbulence in our troubled society.
Padre Pio had a huge influence as a spiritual guide and healer.
The core of his message to all was the simple command of liberation: “Pray,
hope, and don’t worry.” Those five simple words were his prescription for
eternal health that gave comfort and healing to millions. Could there be a more
fitting message for our time of stress and uncertainty – or a more effective
means to spiritual growth? Life is stressful, but Padre Pio had the way to deal
with all of life’s troubles. So it is wise and still relevant today to follow
the admonition – pray, hope and don’t worry.
Marking the 50th anniversary of his death (1968-2018) and
centennial of the saint’s stigmata (1918-2018), Pope Francis recently visited
Padre Pio’s tomb. While there, he reminded the faithful to imitate the
rock-star saint and continue loving God and Church. This year also marks the
50th year of the presence of the Capuchins at Padre Pio Friary, Modi, Navelim.
This Friary is the first house in India to be named after the saint. It was a
medical dispensary. It continues to be a social centre, a house of formation
for minor seminarians and a shrine of Padre Pio. The friars spend their lives
giving witness to fraternal life, prayer, preaching, organising retreats,
mission preaching, ecology, writing ministry, hearing confessions and social
works. It is here that the devotees of Padre Pio and many others flock in large
numbers with such devotion and unction to attend Mass, to make a good
confession, attend novenas and retreats and offer prayers that bring renewal in
their personal and family lives. People do experience silent miracles happening
in their lives even today through the powerful intercession of St Padre Pio.
God
gave us Padre Pio to remind a sceptical world that God exists and that
intrigues and scandals are trivial compared to the great goal of heaven.
