Hello all, Happy feast day to all those born, baptized and married today Happy feast day to all Deacons, Seminarians, Priests, Bishops, Monks, Nuns, Religious Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus. Happy feast day to all Parents of the Clergy Happy feast day to all devoted to Saint Pio and all devoted to Saint Francis of Assisi Happy feast day to all who constantly have visions of their Guardian Angels, and all devoted to their Heavenly friends (Guardian Angels) Happy feast day to all devoted to Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus, popularly known as the little flower of Jesus Happy feast day to all children of Mary, especially all who recite Her Holy Rosary with true devotion Happy feast to all who by the grace of God are able to practice extreme mortification of their body and senses (fasting, silence, constant prayer, little sleep..amongst others) Happy feast day to all who by the grace of God have the virtues of perpetual chastity and perform various corporal works of mercy (Charity). Happy feast day to all Catholic Missionaries Today (September 23) marks the liturgical memorial of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. Saint Pio was an Italian Roman Catholic Capuchin priest who is now venerated as a Saint in the Roman Catholic Church He was a Catholic mystic He became famous for his stigmata. He was given the name Pio when he joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, and was popularly known as “Padre Pio” after his ordination to the priesthood Saint Pio was born May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy He was the fourth of seven children His father was Orazio Forgione and his mother was Maria Guiseppa Forgione De Nunzio His name after birth was Francesco Saint Pio was dedicated to “Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus” From his spiritual director we know that from the age of 5years “young Francesco” had ecstasies and decided to consecrate himself totally to God. His dream to join the Catholic Capuchin Order of Friars Minor was realized in 1903 when he was admitted at the Friary of Morcone in the Province of Foggia. The young Francesco studied in his middle school years with a private tutor, using the money that his father sent from the Unites States of America, where he was an immigrant like many others from the area In January 1902, age 15yrs, Padre Pio, entered novitiate of Capuchins in the nearby Monastery of Morcone in the province of Benevento. He was distinguished for his life of mortification and sacrifice He was ordained a Catholic Priest on the 10th of August, 1910 on the Feast of “Saint Lawrence” in the Cathedral of Benevento. His mother Mamma Guiseppa was the only close relative present at his priestly ordination As a Catholic Priest “Father Pio” always made the Catholic faithful while preparing for confession to recite the following prayers: My past, O Lord , to Thy Mercy My present, O Lord, to Thy Love, My future, O Lord, to Thy Providence! Padre Pio received the invisible stigmata on the 20th of September, 1915. He left his family and place of birth (Pietrelcina) forever on the vigil of the feast of “Saint Lucy” Dec 12, 1915 He was assigned to the Monastary of Saint Anna, at Foggia but didnt stay there long. In 1916, he was later transferred to the Monsatary of “Our Lady of Grace” at San Giovanni Rotondo, because of his health. He prayed the Holy Rosary several times daily Two years later Padre Pio received a visible STIGMATA in the Monastery of Morcone in Benevento on Friday, September 20, 1918 He carried the visible stigmata on his body for the next 50 years. They disappeared shortly before his death on September 23, 1968. He had the wounds in his palms, feet and in his side that corresponded to the wounds that Jesus Christ suffered during crucifixion. These wounds caused Padre Pio great suffering and this pain was particularly evident during his celebration of the Holy Mass. As Saint Pio was conducting Holy Mass he would seem to be reliving the pain of Christ’s crucifixion. He spent 52 years in the convent His celebration of Holy Mass would often last for hours, as the mystic received visions and experienced sufferings during the “Eucharistic celebration” He celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Feast of his STIGMATA on friday September 20, 1968 He was the only Catholic Priest who has received the STIGMATA He never went on vacation He never had an advancement in Career He never wrote a book He did not make eloquent speeches He never waived in his obedience to the Church He was focused only on loving God, saving souls and alleviating suffering His wounds never stopped bleeding. His body never stopped suffering. His mind never stopped thinking of God. His lips never stopped praying, and his heart never stopped loving. -------------------------------- On October 22, 1918, Padre Pio wrote to his spiritual advisor, Padre Benedetto, describing how he received the stigmata. Quote of the day Padre Pio tells us: On the morning of the 20th of last month, in the choir, after I had celebrated Mass, I yielded to a drowsiness similar to a sweet sleep. All the internal and external senses and even the very faculties of my soul were immersed in indescribable stillness. Absolute silence surrounded and invaded me. I was suddenly filled with great peace and abandonment which effaced everything else and caused a lull in the turmoil. All this happened in a flash. While this was taking place, I saw before me a mysterious person similar to the one I had seen on the evening of 5th August. The only difference was that his hands and feet and side were dripping blood. The sight terrified me and what I felt at that moment is indescribable. I thought I should die and really should have died if the Lord had not intervened and strengthened my heart which was about to burst out of my chest. The vision disappeared and I became aware that my hands, feet and side were dripping blood. Imagine the agony I experienced and continue to experience almost every day. The heart wound bleeds continually, especially from Thursday evening until Saturday. Dear Father, I am dying of pain because of the wounds and the resulting embarrassment I feel in my soul. I am afraid I shall bleed to death if the Lord does not hear my heartfelt supplication to relieve me of this condition. Will Jesus, Who is so good, grant me this grace? Will He, at least, free me from the embarrassment caused by these outward signs? I will raise my voice and will not stop imploring Him until in His Mercy, He takes away, not the wound or the pain, which is impossible since I wish to be inebriated with pain, but these outward signs which cause me such embarrassment and unbearable humiliation -Saint Pio ---------------------------------- My father crossed the ocean twice to give me the possibility to become a friar - Saint Pio ---------------------------------- I want to be a friar with a beard - Saint Pio ------------------------------------- On January 6, 1903, at the age of 16, I decided to become a novice at the convent of Morcone (Benevento), where the following January 22, I received the Franciscan robe, taking on the name of brother Pio. - Saint Pio ------------------------------------- Vows of Brother Pio: I, brother Pio from Pietralcina, ask and promise to God the Omnipotent, and to the blessed Virgin Mary, and saint Francis, and all the Saints, and to you o father, to observe in all my life the Rules of the Minor Friars, confirmed by pope Onorius, living in obedience, poverty, and chastity - Saint Pio -------------------------------------- Im devoured by the love of God and my neighbor God is always fixed in my mind and imprinted in my heart I live for Jesus Christ, I live for his glory, I live to serve him, I live to love him Do not doubt divine help Do you think that the stigmata are simply decorations? Leave me the pain Lord, but remove from me these signs that embarrass me Dont you know that good works are the fruit of many tears and of a lot of suffering? Love is the first ingredient in the relief of suffering Pray the rosary frequently. It costs so little, and its worth so much! O lord, dont strike my poor brothers, strike me I am only a poor sinning friar who prays Suffering is my daily bread and my delight Praying is the pouring of our heart into the heart of God When you find yourself close to God in prayer, speak to Him if you can, and if you unable to do so stay this way. Let yourself be seen, and do not disturb yourself further. May Mary be the star which shines on your path, and may she show you the safe way to reach the Heavenly Father. May she be like an anchor to which you must be more closely attached in time of trial. I have often raised my hand in the silence of the night and in my solitary cell, blessing you all and presenting you to Jesus and to our father, St. Francis of Assisi. My food is to do Gods will Help me to carry the Cross, I who carry it for all Focus on and remove the defect that most prevents you from joining God Die or love God Pray, pray to the Lord with me, because the whole world needs prayer. And every day, when your heart especially feels the loneliness of life, pray. Pray to the Lord, because even God needs our prayers. May our Mother Mary gaze upon you with her maternal eye It is easier for the earth to be without the sun than without the HOLY mass When we do something, lets do it as if it were the last thing we will ever do Always be thankful to the Lord for what you have received. This will be the best approach to receive more favors - Saint Pio ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Padre pio’s Mass lasted for hours due to his constant bleeding and suffering During the Mass one could feel that he had a direct line with the supernatural. He celebrated his Last Holy Mass on September 22, 1968 He died on September 23, 1968 after repeatedly saying these words... Jesu ..... Maria .....Jesu .... Maria ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Padre Pio died at the age of 81, in San Giovanni Rotondo He was buried on September 26 in a crypt in the Church of Our Lady of Grace His stigmata had completely disappeared without even leaving a scar. Only a red mark as if drawn by a red pencil remained on his side which then disappeared Pope Saint John Paul II visited Padre Pios grave on May 27, 1987 Saint Pio was beatified and given the degree of heroic virtues on the 2nd of May, 1999, in Rome, Italy by Pope Saint John Paul II ( who was the 264th Bishop of Rome since the pontificate of Saint Peter the Apostle ) He was canonized on the 16th of June, 2002, in Rome, Italy by Pope Saint John Paul II ( who was the 264th Vicar of Christ since the pontificate of Saint Peter the Apostle) A statue of Saint Pio in Messina, Sicily attracted attention in 2002 when it allegedly wept tears of blood On the 1st of July, 2004, Pope Saint John Paul II officially dedicated the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church in San Giovanni Rotondo to the memory of Saint Pio Saint Pio’s body was exhumed from his crypt, 40 years after his death, (March 3, 2008) so that his remains could be prepared for display A church statement described Saint Pio’s body as being in fair condition. Archbishop Domenico DAmbrosio, papal legate to the shrine in San Giovanni Rotondo, stated the top part of the skull is partly skeletal but the chin is perfect and the rest of the body is well preserved. The Archbishop also confirmed in a communiqué that “the stigmata are not visible.” The Archbishop went on to say that Saint Pios hands looked like they had just undergone a manicure. Saint Pio is listed among the incorruptibles! Other incorruptible Saints are Saint John Vianney , Saint Rita of Cascia, Saint Bernadette, Saint Charbel, Saint Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart, Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Silvan, Saint Veronica Giuliani, Saint Zita, Saint John Bosco, Pope Saint John XXIII and Pope Saint Pius IX....amongst others ------------------------------------------ On the back of the holy card commemorating his first Holy Mass, Padre Pio wrote: “Jesus, my desire and my life, when today, trembling, I bring you forth in the mystery of love, grant that I may be for the world the way, the truth, and the life, and for you – a holy priest and perfect victim.” - Saint Pio ----------------------------------- Saint Padre Pio was devoted to Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus also known as the little flower of Jesus. Saint Pio was a Mystic, a Confessor and a Stigmatic. For 50 years he suffered the five wounds of the crucifixion. He was a true victim with Christ. He was a credible sign to our time. He was a channel of grace. His Sanctity attracted souls and moved them toward Christ. He often said: Pray, hope and do not worry. Worries are useless. God is Merciful and will listen to your prayer... -------------------------------- Love our Lady and make her loved -Saint Pio ------------------------------- Saint Pio is the patron Saint of civil defense volunteers He is also the patron Saint of Catholic adolescents He is an unofficial Patron Saint of stress relief ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ And I will give you pastors according to my own heart and they shall feed you with knowledge and doctrine --Jeremias 3:15 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Padre Pios Prayer After Holy Communion Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You. Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life and without You I am without fervor. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light and without You I am in darkness. Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your Will. Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your Voice and follow You. Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much and alway be in Your company. Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You. Stay with me, Lord, as poor as my soul is I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a Nest of Love. Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close and life passes, death, judgment and eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches, I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile! Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You. Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart. Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love. Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more. With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen. ------------------------------------------------- Chaplet of Padre Pio Oh Jesus, full of grace and charity, victim for sinners, so impelled by Your love of us that You willed to die on the cross, I humbly entreat Thee to glorify in heaven and on earth, the servant of God, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, who generously participated in Your sufferings, who loved Thee so much and laboured so faithfully for the glory of Your Heavenly Father and for the good of souls. With confidence, I beseech Thee to grant me, through his intercession, the grace of …(mention your request). . . which I ardently desire. Amen Say three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and three Glorias. -------------------------- Let us pray that by the works, mortification, spiritual direction, spiritual maturity, and intercession of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, we may in this group find the spiritual motivation to win our souls for God. Amen Summary of life history of Saint Pio can be viewed by clicking the image of the Saint in our groups photo section. Saint of the day would be communicated to you as promptly and consistently as humanly possible, by Gods grace. May we all in this group and beyond this group, Christians and non Christians alike, Catholics and non Catholics alike, be saved from the fires of hell and lifted up into heaven after our stay here on this exile. Amen May our Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and other Saints before and after him and through Gods Divine Mercy strengthen our souls, open out the way for us all, and above all, intoxicate us with HIS love. Amen May Christ make us into blazing fires to enkindle the earth with the heavenly fire HE brought us. Amen Jesus we love you, all we have is yours, yours we are and yours we want to be, please do with us whatever you will. Amen Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we give you our lives and our salvation. Amen. Jesus, Mary we love you, please save our souls. Amen God bless you and grant your heart’s desire. Amen Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us. Amen. --------------------------------------- For a Homily on our Saint of today, please click the link below: https://youtube/watch?v=joUMTjsf8d4 https://youtube/watch?v=kMNc8ziPGaE
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:18:43 +0000