St Padre Pio’s life was marked by change.
Born to peasant farmers in Italy in 1887, Padre Pio worked on the land until the age of 10.
By then he had already decided to devote his life to God, and was able to enter the novitiate of the Capuchin friars at 15.
Padre Pio would eventually be ordained a priest, soon moving to the Italian mountainside, where he would remain until his death, for over 50 years.
During this time Padre Pio became a popular figure amongst the local population.
He especially promoted a devotion to the rosary and frequent confession, helping the people rebuild their lives after the First World War.
It was also during this time that Padre Pio’s stigmata became more and more pronounced.
His wounds on his hands, imitating those of Christ on the cross, drew widespread attraction, with Padre Pio often covering them with mittens.
He confessed to his friends that he would have rathered the Lord let him suffer this gift in secret.
Padre Pio also became known for other supernatural phenomena, including bilocation, transverberation, healing, prophecy and even physical fights with satan.
His life and writings as a mystic inspired millions, amassing an especially large following in his native Italy by the time of his death in 1968.
From humble beginnings, Padre Pio would become one of the most popular saints of the 20th century.
Throughout his life Padre Pio experienced a changing world, with two world wars and the onset of the atomic age.
But throughout these changing world dynamics, Padre Pio’s faith in Christ never wavered.
The trials and tribulations of his life formed him into the good and faithful servant he is remembered as today.
The Church celebrates Padre Pio on September 23.
