In honor of
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, also known as Padre Pio’s, 131st birthday,
we’d like to celebrate his inspiring and amazing life and legacy by sharing
some of our favorite words of wisdom that he imparted to us during his life on
earth.
Francesco
Forgione was born on May 15, 1887, to Italian peasant farmers. Padre Pio was
known to have expressed a strong desire to dedicate his life to God as early as
five years old. In 1903, he became a Friar at the young age of 15 and was
ordained as a Priest in 1910. After his death on September 23, 1968, Saint Pope
John Paul II beatified Padre Pio in 1999, and subsequently canonized him in
2002.
Saint Padre
Pio is perhaps most famously known for his stigmata, visions, and the gift of
healing. He is recognized as the Patron Saint of Civil Defense Volunteers
as he served in the military as a Friar in World War I. He spent much of his
life ill and in pain, yet remained extremely faithful, hopeful, and even
joyful. For this, he is venerated as a symbol of hope - inspiring and consoling
those in times of struggle through unwavering faith.
Here are
a few of our favorite quotes from Saint Padre Pio:
1. “Pray, hope, and don't worry.
Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”
2. “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.”
3. “The longer the
trial to which God subjects you, the greater the goodness in comforting
you during the time of the trial and in the exaltation after the
combat.”
4. “Joy, with
peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.”
5. “Jesus is with you even when you don’t feel His presence. He is never so close to
you as He is during your spiritual battles. He is
always there, close to you, encouraging you to fight your battle courageously.
He is there to ward off the enemy’s blows so that you may not be hurt.”
6. “The
most beautiful act of faith is the one made in darkness, in sacrifice, and with
extreme effort.”
7. “The storms that are raging around you will turn out to be for
God’s glory, your own merit, and the good of many souls.”
8. “You must have boundless faith in the divine
goodness, for the victory is absolutely certain.”
9. "My past, O Lord, to Your mercy; my present, to Your love; my future to
Your providence.”
10. “You complain because the same trials are constantly returning. But
look here, what have you to fear? Are you afraid of the divine craftsman
who wants to perfect His masterpiece in this way? Would you like to come
from the hands of such a magnificent Artist as a mere sketch and no more?”
11. “I recommend calm and calm all the time.”
12. “How unbearable is pain when suffered far from the Cross, but how
sweet and bearable it becomes when it is offered close to the Cross of
Jesus!”
13. “If we earnestly endeavor to love Jesus, this alone will drive all
fear from our hearts and soul will find that instead of walking in the
Lord’s paths, it is flying.”
14. “The
greater your sufferings, the greater God’s love for you.”
This year we
will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Saint Padre Pio entering
into eternal life – and - the 100th Anniversary of his Stigmata.
Join us on a pilgrimage to Italy to celebrate the life and legacy of Saint Padre
Pio!