Today is the feast of St. Padre Pio (1887 - 1968). He was truly a great man, and a dedicated Franciscan and priest. And he had many of the favors of my little friend Miriam, Blessed Maria of Jesus Crucified, OCD, the Little Arab: bilocation, celestial perfume, miraculous cures, conversions and prophetic insight, plus one she didn't: the stigmata. And it's hard to dispute that one -- photos and medical records exist to prove it. Neat.
Francesco (Francis) Forgione was one of 8 children of a poor family -- the father was often gone, trying to make a living for the large family. He had a good education, a normal attraction for the good things of this world, and an early and strong call to the religious life. He was declared 4-F for the military, or whatever they call its equivalent in Italy (World War I). He had a remarkable religious experience in the chapel on September 20, 1918 -- his hands bled as if pierced, and they oozed all his life til his death on this date 50 years later.
His precarious health didn't keep him from fulfilling -- and going beyond -- his priestly duties. Not only did he never take a "priest's day off," he heard confessions every day, sometimes even 8 - 12 hours a day. He was, by his own admission, not a sympathetic guy, but he always prayed for those who asked him and his prayers were remarkably effective. He attracted many, and 100,000 people attended his funeral. Even after his death, his intercession resulted in many cures. St. Padre Pio, pray for us.
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