I was first introduced to St. Padre Pio during a season of Advent many many years ago by a generous lady we affectionately called “Granny Jan”.
It was also during that Advent season when I learned that she was a former nurse and retired after being diagnosed with cancer. During her healing and recovery, she developed a deep devotion to both our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Padre Pio. Both of which Granny Jan has now blessed our home and family with through gorgeous artwork and blessed sacramentals.
She happen to introduce us to St. Padre Pio during a scary time when one of my kids had suffered a misfortunate accident and had gotten quite a severe concussion. Granny Jan heard about the incident and insisted on giving us her second-class relic of St. Pio. We humbly took the relic and blessed our child who recovered quickly without any complications. Praise God!
Afterward, I became very curious about this Saint and I began reading books, magazines, newsletters, and prayer cards and watched a couple movies about him.
I came to learn quite a bit about this incredible mystical capuchin monk, priest, and now Saint. I fell in love with him immediately and Granny Jan was so thrilled that she gifted us with this absolutely beautiful 3-foot outdoor statue of Padre Pio (see photo above).
I think one of the first things that made me feel connected to him was when I read about his temper. Apparently, St. Padre Pio had little tolerance for certain things, such as ladies coming to the confessional dressed immodestly. It got to the point that his brother monks had to screen the people who came to see him for confession.
On the other hand, St. Padre Pio was also known to be as gentle as a lamb. He showed such tender love as noted in his letters, conversations, and the many supernatural visits he had with different eyewitnesses. All of whom became his very devoted spiritual children. Reading about St. Padre Pio’s encounters was not only warm and caring but so admirably attractive and so enlightening.
He was also well known for bearing the wounds of Christ through the stigmata. And he could celebrate Masses that would last for hours. Could you imagine? That must have been amazing to be present at one of his Masses! St. Pio has developed an intimate relationship with his Guardian Angel since childhood and people testified hearing him having arguments with his Guardian Angel when he was an adult. I got such a chuckle and immense joy in reading those stories about him.
St. Pio also had many long and exhausting nights in his cell battling Satan and his evil dominions. Many years later when I was learning more about different types of torments that evil spirits manifest, this one God permitted with St. Pio we’re called ‘vexations’. On the other hand, St. Pio was witnessed having many many beautiful encounters and ecstasies with the Christ-child Jesus and our Lady, Mother Mary.
It quickly became obvious St. Pio was granted several extraordinary supernatural charisms and he used them to help save many many souls. Honestly, I could read stories about him, all day long! He helped so many people from all over the world and from all walks of faith and from so many different generations.
St. Pio definitely helped me to get another perspective on who was each person of the blessed Holy Trinity, and what Heaven and Hell were like. His intimate encounters with each Heavenly being gave me glimpses into what an intimate relationship with our Lord could actually look like.
This past Advent season I have enjoyed getting reacquainted with this amazing supernaturally gifted, mystical priest from the past, through each of these delightful daily devotions.
Somehow being inspired by each day’s readings and prayers I have felt strongly compelled and convicted to write this post and introduce you to this powerful Saint. My prayer is that you too will come to know a side of God through St. Padre Pio’s life, which will deepen your desire to know, love, and serve God more. If you don’t know much about St. Padre Pio, I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend getting to know him better. His intercessory prayers are supernaturally powerful! ❤️🙏
Today, dear reader I’m asking a favor. Could you please say a quick prayer for Granny Jan who introduced me to this incredible Saint?
St. Padre Pio to pray for us.
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I pray you found what you were needing today. Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear how this post might have been helpful for you.
Remember you are not alone! No matter what you’ve done or failed to do you are still loved unconditionally by a very merciful and just Lord and Savior!
May God Bless You,
Leslie
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