Capuchin Monk - Priest - Stigmatist

SPIRITUAL QUOTES OF SAINT PADRE PIO

Read the following "spiritual quotes" from Blessed Padre Pio. When you find the one which "touches" your heart, print it out on an index card and place it where you will see it everyday. During the course of your day, stop and reflect on the spiritual message............

• Prayer is the best weapon we possess, the key that opens the heart of God.

• Do not worry over things that generate preoccupation, and anxiety. One thing only is necessary: to lift up your spirit and love God.

• The most beautiful act of faith is the one made in darkness, in sacrifice, and with extreme effort.

• Often place your confidence in Divine Providence and be assured that sooner Heaven and earth shall pass away than that the Lord neglect to protect you.

• My past, O Lord, to your mercy; my present, to your love; my future, to your Providence!

• The most beautiful credo is that which come from your lips in darkness, in sacrifice, in pain, in the supreme effort of an unbending will for good. It is this which, like a stroke of lightning, penetrates the darkness of the soul; it is this which in the flash of the tempest lifts you and leads you to God.

• Always be humble in everything you do, guarding fervently the purity of your body and soul, because these are the two wings which carry us to God, and make us almost divine.

• Bear in mind that the more the enemy (devil) assaults you, the closer God is to your soul. Think about, and penetrate this great and comforting truth.

• Why should you worry whether God wants you to reach the Heavenly home by way of the desert or by the fields, when by the one as well as by the another one arrives all the same at a Blessed Eternity?

• Do not fear, Jesus is more powerful than all Hell. At the invocation of His Name every knee in Heaven, on earth and in hell must bend before Jesus; this is the consolation of the good and terror of the evil ones.

• Continue to pray that God may console you when you feel that the weight of the Cross is becoming too burdensome. Acting thus you are not doing anything against the will of God, but are with the Son of God, who in the garden, asked his Father for some relief.

• Be comforted with this divine thought that your spiritual and physical pains are the test of the Divine Will. All lovers of Jesus must conform themselves always more to this divine and eternal Model.

• Pray, hope and don't worry. Anxiety doesn't help at all. Our Merciful Lord will listen to your prayer.

• The proof of love is to suffer for the one you love.

• Do not be so given to the activity of Martha as to forget the silence of Mary. May the Virgin who so well reconciled the one with the other be your sweet model and inspiration.

• The best consolation comes from prayer.

• Let us bind ourselves tightly to the Sorrowful Heart of our heavenly Mother and reflect on its boundless grief and how precious is our soul.

• On this earth everyone has his cross. But we must act in such away that we be not the bad, but the good thief.

• To doubt is the greatest insult to the Divinity.

• Don't spend your energies on things that generate worry, anxiety and anguish. Only one thing is necessary: Lift up your spirit, and love God.

• Ahead! Courage! In the spiritual life he who does not advance goes backward. It happens as with a boat which always must go ahead. If it stand still the wind will blow it back.

• When you are exposed to any trial, be it physical or moral, bodily or spiritual, the best remedy is to think of Jesus who is our life and not to think of the trial without joining it to the thought of Jesus.

• The gates of Heaven are open for all creatures.(who repent) Remember Mary Magdalene.

• Jesus always lends comfort to those who place their trust and hope in Him.

• One thing is necessary: to be near Jesus. You know well that at the birth of our Lord the shepherds heard the angelic and divine chants of the heavenly spirits. The Scriptures say so. But they do not say that his Virgin Mother and St. Joseph who were nearer to the Child, heard the voices of the angels or saw those miracles of splendor. On the contrary, they heard the Child weeping and saw by the light of a poor lantern the eyes of the Divine Child all bathed in tears, in sighs and shivering cold. Now I ask you: Would you not have preferred to have been in the dark stable, filled with the cries of the little Child, rather than to have been with the shepherds. beside yourself with joy over those sweet melodies from heaven and the beauties of this wonderful splendor?

• May Jesus be always at the center of your endeavors...... May He offer us comfort in our moments of sadness. May He sustain us with His grace, enlighten our minds and inflame our hearts with Divine Love.

• 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.

• Keep close to the Catholic Church at all times, for the Church alone can give you true peace, since she alone possesses Jesus, the true Prince of Peace, in the Blessed Sacrament.

• You must speak to Jesus also with the heart, besides with the lips; indeed, in certain cases you must speak to Him only with the heart.

• Fear not because God is with you.

• Prayer is the oxygen of the soul.

• 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.

• Oh, how precious time is! Blessed are those who know how to make good use of it. Oh, if only all could understand how precious time is, undoubtedly everyone would do his best to spend it in a praiseworthy manner!

• The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain.

  
  

  
  

SPIRITUAL ADVICE THROUGH LETTERS OF SAINT PADRE PIO

May 19, 1914 letter to Raffaelina Cerase:

You are trying to measure, understand, feel and touch the love which you have for God. But, my dear sister, you must accept as certain that the more a soul loves God, the less it feels this love.

I am not able to explain this truth very clearly, but you can take it as certain that the matter is as I have said. God is incomprehensible and inaccessible; hence the more a soul penetrates into the love of this Supreme Good, the more the sentiment of love towards him, which is beyond the soul's knowledge, seems to diminish, until the poor soul considers that it no longer loves him at all.

In certain instances it seems to the soul that this is really the case, but that continual fear, that holy circumspection which makes one look carefully where to place one's feet so as not to stumble, that courage in facing the assaults of the enemy, that resignation to God's will in all life's adversities, that ardent desire to see God's kingdom established in one's own heart and in the hearts of others are the clearest proof of the soul's love (for God).

October 10, 1914 letter to Raffaelina Cerase:

Remember that spiritual peace can be maintained even in the midst of all the storms of this life. As you know very well, it consists essentially in peaceful relations with those around us, wishing them well in all things. It also consists in being on good terms with God through sanctifying grace. The proof that we are united to God is our moral certainty of not having any mortal sin on our conscience. To sum up, peace consists in having achieved victory over the world, the devil and our own passions.

This peace which Jesus has brought us can continue quite well to be ours not merely when we enjoy abundant spiritual consolations but when (our hearts are filled) with pain and grief.

April 23, 1918 letter to Erminia Gargani

Do not anticipate the problems of this life with apprehension, but rather with perfect hope that God, to whom you belong, will free you from them accordingly. He has defended you up to now. Simply hold on tightly to the hand of His Divine Providence and He will help you in all events, and when you are unable to walk, He will lead you.

Why should you fear when you belong to this God who strongly assured us: "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him."? Don't think about tomorrow's events, because the same Heavenly Father who takes care of you today will do the same tomorrow and forever.

Live tranquility, (removing) from your imagination that which upsets you and often say to our Lord: Oh God, you are my God and I will trust in you. You will assist me and be my refuge, and I will fear nothing because not only are you with him, but you are in him and he is within you. What can a child fear in the arms of its father?

IMPORTANT DATES IN THE LIFE OF SAINT PADRE PIO:

Padre Pio was the first stigmatized priest in the history of the Church. (St. Francis of Assisi who also bore the stigmata was a deacon, not a priest.) Padre Pio bore the stigmata (the five wounds of Our Lord's Passion) for fifty years! He experienced intense sufferings (physical and spiritual) during his life, as well as extreme peace and joy. His "strength" came from his burning love for the Holy Eucharist and our Blessed Mother, Mary. Padre Pio received Holy Communion daily and prayed the rosary many times during the day. He had great devotion to his Guardian Angel and was gifted in being able to see and converse with his own Angel. Let us try to emulate his love, faith and complete trust in Jesus and Mary.

• Birth - May 25, 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy
• Baptism - May, 1887 - Pietrelcina
• Confirmation - September 27, 1899
• Investiture - January 22, 1903 - name chosen Padre Pio (Father Pius)
• Ordination - August 10, 1910 - Benevento
• Temporary Stigmata - September 7, 1910
• Transverberation of heart causing visible wound on side - August 5, 1918
• Stigmata - September 20, 1918 - received visible wounds of Jesus crucified
• Death - September 23, 1968 at 2:30 A.M. - his last words were "Gesu e Maria" (Jesus and Mary)
• November 29, 1982 - Pope John Paul ll approved the decree for the opening of the canonical informative Process on the life of Padre Pio.
• Padre Pio acquires the title of Venerable in the Vatican Concistorum in the presence of Pope John Paul ll on December 18, 1997.
• Beatified by Pope John Paul ll - May 2, 1999 (Sunday)
• Canonized by Pope John Paul ll - June 16, 2002 (Sunday)
• Feast Day for St. Padre Pio - September 23rd - Anniversary of his death on earth and his entrance into Eternal Life in Heaven.

  
  

LINKS on PADRE PIO:

The National Center for Padre Pio: Biography of Padre Pio, Books & Videos, Image Collection, National News updates on Padre Pio, Prayers and an opportunity to send your petitions for prayerful remembrance at the National Center for Padre Pio Saint Pio

Spirituality of Padre Pio: Franciscan, Priest, Man, Blessed, Mystic, Guardian Angels and Padre Pio, Immaculate Hearts of Jesus & Mary and Padre Pio Spirituality of Pio

The Padre Pio Foundation of America: Resource regarding the following on Padre Pio: Biography, Teachings, Stigmata, Beatification and Books/Gift Shop. Take a virtual pilgrimage to the home, friary, town and tomb of Padre Pio. Pilgrimage

Padre Pio Postcards: E-mail a postcard (free) to a friend. Select a colored picture of St. Padre Pio from a selection of beautiful ecards on Padre Pio. (Selection #1) Choose Selection #1 or choose a card which says "Prayer is the simplicity of heart, serenity of mind, tranquility of soul, the bond of love." (Selection #2) - This is a quote from Padre Pio's writings or letters. choose Selection #2

Padre Pio Magazine: Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Friary in San Giovanni Rotondo (where Padre Pio lived as a Capuchin monk until his death) publishes "The Voice of Padre Pio". It can be read or ordered on the following website. Magazine

Holy Shroud Guild: Images of Shroud of Turin, Meditations on the Stations of the Cross, Library, Links, and a Gift Shop. Holy Face

Witness to Padre Pio Beautiful Mosaics of Padre Pio based on pictures taken by William Carrigan in 1955, First Article written on Padre Pio, Witness to Padre Pio and Introduction to Padre Pio. Mosaics

Healing Wounds of Jesus: Reflect on the mystical and scientific insights into Jesus Christ's actual passion which He suffered for you. Good News Ministries

PRAYER TO SAINT PADRE PIO

O Jesus, full of grace and charity, victim for sinners, so impelled by love for us that you willed to die on the cross. I humbly beseech you to glorify in heaven and on earth, Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, who generously participated in your sufferings, who loved you so much and laboured so faithfully for the glory of your heavenly Father and for the good of souls. With confidence I beseech you to grant me, through his intercession, the grace of................ which I ardently desire.

Glory be to the Father..... (three times)

Imprimatur - Manfredonia, 12-3-1971, Archbishop Valentino Vailati

NOVENA to: THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

This novena prayer was recited every day by Padre Pio for all those who asked his prayers. The faithful are invited to recite it daily, so as to be spiritually united with the prayer of Padre Pio. (Source: National Center for Padre Pio - Barto, Pa. USA)

l. O my Jesus, you have said : "Truly I say to you, ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father.... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.)

ll. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, He will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of ..... (Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father.... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.)

lll. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly, I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of... (Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father.... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.)

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life our sweetness and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, Most Gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us and after this our exile, show unto us the Blessed Fruit of Thy Womb Jesus. O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

Padre Pio's Communion Petition

Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon you.

Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often.

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life and without You I am without fervor.

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light and without You I am in darkness.

Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.

Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.

Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much and always be in your company.

Stay with me, Lord, if you wish me to be faithful to You.

Stay with me, Lord, as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.

Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close and life passes, death, judgment and eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows.

Oh how I need you, my Jesus, in this night of exile!

Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You. Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion may be the Light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.

Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.

Stay with me, Lord, for it is you alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You more and more.

With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen.

(The above Communion Petition Prayer was submitted by Friends of Padre Pio in Bradenton - Thank you, Gayle!)

The presence of God is everywhere ......

Comments, ideas or suggestions: The Frank Hickey Family of Boston, Massachusetts at pacebene@aol.com This website was developed in order to "THANK" Padre Pio for his many blessings upon our family. We hope that your reflections on his spirituality will inspire you to turn to Jesus & Mary with faith, love and trust....... total surrender.

Do you have devotion to St.Therese of Lisieux? Do you want to learn more about St.Therese of Lisieux? Please visit our website: The "Little Flower"

Do you want to grow closer to Mary? Do you want to learn more about Mary, the mother of Jesus & our mother, too? Please visit the following website: www.marypages.com