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Adriatic coast descends…dry
rocky hills – small town gem,
La Madonna delle Grazie.
Tucked in San Giovanni Rotondo
treasures hidden, secrets kept
 
Son of Italy, son of St. Francis
consolation, hope to pilgrims brought.
Gargano’s silence no longer felt –
news spreads – signs…works…
 
Belief – devotion – prayer,
life of a boy united with Christ
Satan rejected, holiness embraced.
Friar’s flesh reveals Divine love.
 
Sacred Heart he probed
in his Capuchin robes, confessional still stands
by humble sinners visited – waiting…
touch of sanctity – peace restored.
 
On this day Pope John Paul II proclaims:
modern mystic, wounded he suffered
to bring Redeemer’s love:
Saint of all people, Padre Pio

Book: Roman Incense - Journey to God | Page 19
Author: Fr. David Bellusci, O.P.

This poem was posted for St. Mary's Padre Pio Prayer Group with permission from the author Fr. David Bellusci, O.P.

Can’t go out to eat so I’ve been binge watching the Cooking Channel. Can’t meet up with friends so we Zoom or talk through text longer than ever before. Can’t go to mass so I pray less than I used to when churches were open and Adoration Chapels were available to all. What’s wrong with me?

I’ve been struggling spiritually during the quarantine and feel like I must be the only one. A friend was explaining how she watches livestream masses daily, prays four rosaries and reads the Bible now that she’s not distracted with window shopping and other time killers. But the opposite seems true for me.

When I was driving around town to go to school and run errands, I would pray in the “hermitage” of my car. When I was swamped with school assignments and helping out my teen, I would carve time in between my hectic schedule to listen to Bishop Barron or audiobooks on the saints. But now I feel lost.