“The most beautiful act of faith is the one made in darkness, in sacrifice, and with extreme effort.” Saint Padre Pio
About this website:
This website is going through some updates , once completed it is about: Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, his life & spirituality and his love for Jesus and Mary! His prayers, maxims and holy quotes as well what others say about this humble monk from Pietrelcina, which you will find in the Resources page. We pray that this website will help you to grow in faith, get closer to Jesus and Mary with the intercession of Saint Padre Pio. First, please find below in brief the life of Padre Pio. Be inspired and be transformed!
God bless you!
Saint Padre Pio
Francesco Forgione was born in Pietrelcina on 25 May 1887 from Grazio Forgione and Maria Giuseppa De Nunzio. In 1901 he expressed a strong desire to become a friar following a meeting with Fra 'Camillo di Sant'Elia, a Capuchin friar of the Convent of Morcone. With great joy, his parents accepted his vocation and so, Father Grazio emigrated to America to guarantee him his years of study.
On January 6, 1903 Francesco entered the convent and on January 22 of the following year he made his profession of simple vows, taking the name of fra 'Pio.
On the morning of 10 August 1910, Padre Pio was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of Benevento and celebrated the first Mass in the Mother Church of Pietrelcina on 14 August.
The September 7, 1910 , in the family campaign of Piana Romana, under the large elm tree where he prayed, he received the first stigmata, which disappeared within a year.
In 1915 Padre Pio was called to arms. During medical examinations he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was sent home.
In February 1916 he was inserted into the religious community of S. Anna in Foggia and on 28 July of the same year he was invited by the superior of San Giovanni Rotondo to the convent of the country in which he remained for the rest of his life.
On 20 September 1918 , in front of the Crucifix of the church of the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo, he received the stigmata in his hands, feet and side, signs of the passion of Christ. In 1940 his great work Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza was planned, inaugurated May 5, 1956. On September 22, 1968, Padre Pio celebrated his last Mass and in the early hours of September 23 he returned to the Father's house.