ABOUT PADRE PIO and INSPIRING WORDS FROM PADRE PIO
Padre Pio was born on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy, and baptized in the name Francesco. From his early childhood he was visited regularly by his guardian angel and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He did not think this was unusual until a young friend told him otherwise. He was ordained a priest in the Capuchin Order on August 10, 1910. His young priestly life was marked by numerous episodes of poor health, and also included a short stint with the military. After being discharged from the Army in 1918, he was stationed at the monastery at San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, never to leave until his death. On December 20, 1918 he was blessed with the extraordinary visible stigmata of Christ (5 wounds on his hands, feet and side).
His priestly ministry was characterized by humility, perseverance and obedience to his priestly duties, especially to the celebration of Holy Mass, hours in the confessional, and spiritual direction. He was able to read into the hearts of many who came to him for confession, often reminding them of un-confessed sins and foretelling future occurrences in their lives and God's will for them. A hugh International cult rose up around Padre Pio, manifesting itself in constant crowds of pilgrims to the monastery to attend his Holy Masses and to confess to him.
INSPIRING WORDS FROM PADRE PIO
"Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer."
"Pray, pray to the Lord with me, because the whole world needs prayer. and every day, when your heart especially feels the loneliness of life, pray. Pray to the Lord, because even God needs our prayers."
"You must always humble yourself lovingly before God and before men, because God speaks only to those who are truly humble and He enriches them with His Gifts."
"In all the events of life, you must recognize the Divine Will. Adore and bless it, especially in the things which are the hardest for you."
"Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God's heart. You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips, but with your heart. In fact on certain occasions you should only speak to Him with your heart."
"Who can assure us that we will be alive tomorrow? Let us listen to the voice of our conscience, to the voice of the royal prophet: 'Today, if you hear God's voice, harden not your heart.' Let us not put off from one moment to another (what we should do) because the (next Moment) is not yet ours."
"Don't allow any sadness to dwell in your soul, for sadness prevents the Holy Spirit from entering freely."
