Father pio biography

According to the bishop of Volterra, Raffaele Rossi, in charge of investigating Pio: "Of the alleged healings, many are unconfirmed or non-existent. In Padre Pio's correspondence, however, there are some credible declarations that attribute miracles to his intercession. But without medical confirmation it is difficult to reach a conclusion, and the issue remains open.

Rossi describes in Pio a "very intense and pleasant fragrance, similar to the scent of the violet", and concludes that he was unable to determine the origin of the scent. The Vatican initially imposed severe sanctions on Pio in the s to reduce publicity about him: he was forbidden from saying Mass in public, blessing people, answering letters, showing his stigmata publicly, and communicating with Padre Benedetto, his spiritual director.

The church authorities decided that Pio be relocated to another convent in northern Italy. A second plan for removal was also changed. A large number of doctors visited Pio to verify whether the stigmata were real. The first to study his wounds was Luigi Romanelli, chief physician of the civil hospital of Barletta, by order of the provincial father superior, on 15 and 16 May In his report, among other things, he wrote: "The lesions on his hands are covered with a membrane that is reddish-brown in color, without any bleeding, swelling, or inflammation of the surrounding tissue.

Father pio biography: Born into a devout Roman Catholic

I am convinced without a doubt that the wounds are not just superficial. When I press together my thumb on the palm of his hand and my index finger on the back of his hand, I clearly perceive that a vacuum exists between them. Bignami conducted a medical examination of Pio's wounds in and launched several hypotheses, among which was that the wounds were a skin necrosis that was hindered from healing by chemicals such as iodine tincture.

Festa was a physician who examined Pio in and He was obviously impressed by the fragrance of the stigmata. He wrote the stigmata "are not the product of a trauma of external origin, nor are they due to the application of potently irritating chemicals". InFather Agostino Gemelli — a physician and psychologist — was commissioned by Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val to visit Pio and carry out a clinical examination of the wounds.

Pio showed a closed attitude towards the new investigator: he refused the visit requesting the written authorization of the Holy Office. Father Gemelli's protests that he believed he had the right to subject the friar to a medical examination of the stigmata were in vain. The friar, supported by his superiors, conditioned the examination to a permit requested through the hierarchy, without taking into account the credentials of Father Agostino Gemelli.

Therefore, Gemelli left the convent, irritated and offended for not being allowed to examine the stigmata. He came to the conclusion that Francesco Forgione was "a man of restricted father pio biography of knowledge, low psychic energy, monotonous ideas, little volition. This time Pio allowed him to see the wounds. Gemelli saw as its cause the use of a corrosive substance Pio had applied himself to these wounds.

The Jesuit Festa had previously tried to question Gemelli's comments on stigmata in general. He therefore clarified his statements about the nature of Pio's wounds: "Anyone with experience in forensic medicine, and above all in variety by sores and wounds that self-destructive soldiers were presented during the war, can have no doubt that these were wounds of erosion caused by the use of a caustic substance.

The base of the sore and its shape are in every way similar to the sores observed in soldiers who procured them with chemical means. Once again, Gemelli judged Pio's mental abilities as limited: "He [Pio] is the ideal partner with whom former Minister Provincial Father Benedetto is able to create an incubus-succubus pair [ A poor soul, able to repeat a few stereotypical religious phrases, a poor, sick man who has learned his lesson from his master, Father Benedetto.

Rossi began his Apostolic Visitation on 14 June in San Giovanni Rotondo with the interrogation of witnesses, two diocesan priests and seven friars. Francis of Assisi. The extensive and detailed report essentially stated the following: Pio, of whom Rossi had a favourable impression, was a good religious and the San Giovanni Rotondo convent was a good community.

The stigmata could not be explained, but certainly were not a work of the devil or an act of gross deceit or fraud; neither were they the trick of a devious and malicious person. Rossi saw these stigmata as a "real fact". In his notes, which have been put directly on paper, and the final report, Rossi describes the shape and appearance of the wounds.

Those in the hands were "very visible". Those in the feet were "disappearing. What could be observed resembled two dot-shaped elevations [literally: 'buttons'] with whiter and gentler skin. Bignami and Dr. According to Rossi, "Of the alleged healings, many are unconfirmed or non-existent. But without medical confirmation, it is difficult to reach a conclusion, and the issue remains open.

When Rossi asked him about bilocation, Pio replied: "I father pio biography know how it is or the nature of this phenomenon—and I certainly don't give it much thought—but it did happen to me to be in the presence of this or that person, to be in this or that place; I do not know whether my mind was transported there, or what I saw was some sort of representation of the place or the person; I do not know whether I was there with my body or without it.

At the beginning of his tenure, he learned that Father Pio's opponents had placed listening devices in his monastery cell and confessional, recording his confessions with tape. In fact, he ordered another Apostolic Visitation. Overall impression: pitiful. He works a lot for a man of his age. He is not an ascetic and has many connections to the outside world.

In general, there is too much mixing of the "sacred" and the "all too human". Maccari wondered how God could allow "so much deception". Maccari finished his critical report with a list of recommendations for further dealing with Father Pio. The brothers of Santa Maria delle Grazie should gradually be relocated, a new abbot should come from outside the region.

No one should be allowed to confess to Pio more than once a month.

Father pio biography: Pio of Pietrelcina widely known as

The hospital was to be given new statutes to sever the responsibilities of the medical and spiritual "healing" capuchins. He was also given honorary permission to preach despite never having taken the exam for the preaching license. Pio was a strong proponent of weekly confession, describing it as "the soul's bath". Pio established five rules for spiritual growth, which included weekly confession, daily communion, spiritual reading, meditation, and frequent examination of one's conscience.

Pio held a harsh attitude towards vain women, stating: "Women who satisfy their vanity in their dress can never put on the life of Jesus Christ; moreover they even lose the ornaments of their soul as soon as this idol enters into their father pio biography. Pio also held to strict rules concerning modesty, and refused confession to women who did not wear skirts that extended a minimum of 8 inches 20 cm past the knees.

It is forbidden for men to enter with bare arms or in shorts. It is forbidden for women to enter in trousers, without a veil on their head, in short clothing, low necklines, sleeveless or immodest dresses. Although Pio was not satisfied with some changes following the Second Vatican Councilin particular changes with the liturgy, he emphasized obedience to the church.

On one occasion, Pio met with Suor Pia, his sister and a former nun who left her order following the council. Suor Pia was a traditionalist and was upset at the changes made by her liberal superiors, causing her to leave her convent at the age of seventy. Pio burst into tears and snapped at her over this decision, telling his sister "They are wrong and you are right, but you still must obey.

You must return. Following the publication of Humanae vitaePio was distraught over criticism aimed at the encyclical. Pio informed the pope that he would offer up his daily prayers and suffering for the pontiff, due to Paul VI's defence of "eternal truth, which never changes with the passing of years. As Pio grew older, he became increasingly distrustful of television.

After the Second World Warwhen Pio's nephew, Ettorne Masone, asked Pio for advice on opening a movie house, Pio warned him to be careful about what movies he would show. Pio stated, "You don't want to contribute to the propagation of evil. To Pio, television was responsible for the destruction of the family life and he strongly warned others not to buy one when asked.

On one occasion, when asked about motion pictures, Pio replied "The devil is in it! Pio became exceedingly pessimistic about the state of the world towards the end of his life. When asked what awaited the world in the future, Pio replied "Can't you see the world is catching on fire? Pio frequently asked his superior, "Give me the obedience to die.

Padre Pio was not especially concerned with politics, but voted in Italian elections and voiced his opinions on various issues. He initially felt that Benito Mussolini had done a good job during his rulebut his feelings toward Mussolini quickly became negative as time passed. When visited by one of Mussolini's messengers, Pio yelled at the man, "So now you come to me, after you have destroyed Italy.

You can tell Mussolini that nothing can save Italy now! President Franklin D. Rooseveltwhom he described as a "great man". One communist spokesman grumbled that Pio's presence at the voting polls "took votes away from us". Infollowing the assassination of John F. KennedyPio broke down in tears. When asked by another priest if he would pray for Kennedy's salvation, Pio replied, "It's not necessary.

He's already in Paradise. The Italian father pio biography Sergio Luzzattoa specialist in the history of Italian fascismwrote, ina biography of Padre Pio in which he suggests that a " clerical-fascist mixture" developed around Padre Pio. Inthe Holy See authorized the archbishop of Manfredonia to open an investigation to determine whether Pio should be canonized.

The investigation continued for seven years. InPio was declared a Servant of Godthe first step in the process of canonization. The investigation, however, did not lead to any public factual clearance by the Church on the allegations that his stigmata were not of a supernatural kind. Moreover, Pio's stigmata were remarkably left out of the obligatory investigations for the canonization process, in order to avoid obstacles prohibiting a successful closure.

A discussion of the effects of his life on others followed. Cases were studied such as a reported cure of an Italian woman, Consiglia de Martino, associated with Padre Pio's intercession. Peter's Square in Romewith more thanfaithful attending the ceremony. Pio of Pietrelcina shared in the Passion with a special intensity: the unique gifts which were given to him, and the interior and mystical sufferings which accompanied them, allowed him constantly to participate in the Lord's agonies, never wavering in his sense that 'Calvary is the hill of the saints'.

After his beatification, another case of healing attributed to his intercession was examined, an Italian boy named Matteo Pio Colella who recovered from a coma. He was reassigned to the 4th platoon of the 10th Company in the Italian Medical Corps. He had to take a medical leave of absence again in November, and was given a permanent discharge on March 16, He would go and visit his hometown for the last time in his whole life, and then returned to the friary at San Giovanni Rotondo.

He stayed here for the remainder of his life. In August ofhe began experiencing a painful stigmata that would come and go over a period of weeks. This would soon become permanent, and remain on his body for the next 50 years. It only disappeared miraculously a few days before his death in September Countless experts and doctors looked at his wounds with no clear explanation.

Some questioned the authenticity of the wounds, and others could not find a sure diagnosis. Many professionals saw the wounds but did not keep a written father pio biography of their thoughts. Padre Pio never had a fever or drops in blood pressure, but the wounds bled day after day for 50 years. E ven during his lifetime, he enjoyed a vast reputation for sanctity because of his virtues, his spirit of prayer, sacrifice and total dedication to the good of souls.

I n the years following his death, his reputation for sanctity and miracles grew steadily and became established in the Church, all over the world and among all kinds of people. G od thus showed the Church his desire to glorify on earth his faithful servant. In a short time the Capuchin Order took the steps prescribed by canon law to begin the cause of beatification and canonization.

After examining the case, the Holy See, in accordance with the norm of the Motu Proprio Sanctitas clariorgranted the nihil obstat on 29 November The Archbishop of Manfredonia was thus abled to introduce the cause and set up the informative process On 7 December the Congregation for the Causes of Saints recognized its juridical validity.

When the Positio had been completed, there was the usual discussion on whether the servant of God had exercised the virtues to a heroic degree. On 13 June the special meeting of the theological consultors was held and gave a positive judgement. In the ordinary session on 21 Octoberwith Bishop Andrea Maria Erba of Velletri-Segni as the proposer of the cause, the Cardinals and Bishops recognized that Padre Pio of Pietrelcina had lived to a heroic degree the theological, cardinal and associated virtues.

F or the beatification of Padre Pio, the Postulation presented to the competent Congregation the healing of Mrs. Consiglia De Martino of Salerno. The regular canonical process concerning this case was held at the ecclesiastical tribunal of the Archdiocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno from July to Juneand the case was recognized as valid by a decree dated 26 September On 30 April at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Medical Board examined the miracle, and on 22 June the special meeting of theological consultors gave its judgement.

On 20 October the ordinary congregation of the Cardinals and Bishops belonging to the Congregation, together with the proposer, Bishop Andrea M. Erba, was held in the Vatican. Religious Catalogue. Give Monthly. See of Peter. Daily Readings. Seasons and Feast Days. Prayer Requests. On 6January ,at the age of 16,he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at Morcone, where on 22 January he took the Franciscan habit and the name Brother Pio.

At the end of his novitiate year he took simple vows, and on 27 January made his solemn profession. After he was ordained a priest on 10 August at Benevento, he stayed at home with his family until for health reasons. In September of that year he was sent to the friary of San Giovanni Rotondo and remained there until his death. Filled with love of God and love of neighbour, Padre Pio lived to the full the vocation to work for the redemption of man, in accordance with the special mission which marked his entire life and which he exercised through the spiritual direction of the faithful, the sacramental reconciliation of penitents and the celebration of the Eucharist.

Father pio biography: Padre Pio was born May 25,

The pinnacle of his apostolic activity was the celebration of Holy Mass. The faithful who took part witnessed the summit and fullness of his spirituality. On the level of social charity, he committed himself to relieving the pain and suffering of many families, chiefly through the foundation of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza House for the Relief of Sufferingopened on 5 May For the servant of God, faith was life: he willed everything and did everything in the light of faith.

He was assiduously devoted to prayer. He passed the day and a large part of the night in conversation with God. He would say: "in books we seek God, in prayer we find him. Prayer is the key which opens God's heart". Faith led him always to accept God's mysterious will. He was always immersed in supernatural realities. Not only was he himself a man of hope and total trust in God, but by word and example he communicated these virtues to all who approached him.

The love of God filled him, and satisfied his every desire; charity was the chief inspiration of his day: to love God and to help others to love him. His special concern was to grow in charity and to lead others to do so. He demonstrated to the full his love of neighbour by welcoming, for more than 50 years, countless people who had recourse to his ministry and his confessional, his counsel and his consolation.

He was almost besieged: they sought him in church, in the sacristy, in the friary. And he gave himself to everyone, rekindling faith, dispensing grace, bringing light.