St. Padre Pio Pietrelcina

by: Bro. John Gabe

A union with divine love

A journey with the spiritual life of Padre Pio

When I joined the Franciscan several years ago, it’s a requisite to change our biological name when admitted to the novitiate.  The one I chose was actually disapproved in the headquarters in Italy so I needed to take another name.  Unfortunately, the second pick was declined by the local delegation.  As a matter of probation, the congregation had to check my way of life.  It came out based on their evaluation that I was prayerful and strict.  As a result, I was conferred as Francesco John Glen Abdullah Gabe Salik, Francesco being taken from Francesco Forgione commonly known as St. Padre Pio

According to Franciscan friars, anyone who chooses St. Padre Pio as  a spiritual mentor but cannot follow his spiritual charisms can be denied by him in front of God.

At the age of five years old, Padre Pio had extra-ordinary gifts.  He was known for being prayerful. 

There was an occasion that he would be found on the floor the following morning when the family woke up which was believed that a spiritual intervention had done this. 

At a young age, he had been noticed of his zeal on religiosity and love towards God.

A noteworthy attributed to him was the gift of bilocation where his presence duplicates in separate distant places.  Through his mediation, the guardian of an individual can go to Padre Pio whereby the person under intercession would be noticed receiving the grace of transformation in the process.

St. Padre Pio was accused of homosexuality and child molestation.

At one point, a commotion occurred inside his room which appalled the neighborhood.  He could not sleep because he was agitated by the evil spirit whom he squabbled with. 

His favorite prayer is the Holy Rosary. When asked what would be his legacy when he depart from this life, he would reply, "The Holy Rosary". Others asked him what is the most powerful prayer and he would respond, "The Holy Rosary".

One time when I performed deliverance in Cainta, Rizal, a terror-stricken experience happened when on the night after it there was a swarm of cockroaches and a number of rats appeared out of nowhere.  It came to appoint that I struggled with the evil spirit who was taking my son Mark.  I had to grab and embraced him securely who was visibly afloat while the evil spirit brawled with me to seize my son. 

Since the beginning and up to this time, it has been noted that it’s only St. Padre Pio from the ranks of priesthood, who went through a stigmata (marks or wounds resembling the wounds of Christ) aside from St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Pio received several charisms:

1.       Healing – a lot of people who came to Giovanni Rotondo were healed.

2.       Bilocation – his presence can duplicate in separate instances.

3.       Prophecy – one day, his father sought for a confession with the priest.  St. Pio urged him not look for other since he can do the task himself being a priest.  He encouraged his father not to prophesying that a few minutes after he would die.  His father died as foreshadowed.

4.       Miracles

5.       Gift of conversion – no matter how obstinate one’s heart is, St. Pio could lead towards conversion.

6.       Ability to read hearts – His father could not confide his sins.  He would ask his father to just say “Amen” after mentioning a particular sin.  Lo and behold, his father would say “Amen” after every word he verbalized

7.       Gift of Tongue

8.       The Fragrance – The room radiates when St. Anthony de Padua.  On the other hand, a holy fragrance could be smelled around which brought conversion to the neighborhood.

St. Pio woke up as early as 2:30AM to say a prayer. It lasts up to 19 hours when he made a confession for the people.

He has numerous prayer groups  nowadays compared to the times when he was still alive.

His remains had not been corrupted after 40 years that he was entombed which is still the same until now without any mark of  disfigurement similar to the time when he was mourned over.

The third relic which includes of something that was wiped over his first relic (body parts) can be found in Cotabato. The second relic considered is St. Pio’s apparel.

Padre Pio was a man of prayer and suffering. He was not startled by affliction but embraced it as an opportunity to save souls.

St. Padre Pio prominent quotes were: 

"Pray, hope, and don't worry." Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” 

 "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.”  

"Fear not because God is with you"

"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." 

"Love Jesus, love Him very much, but to do this, be ready to love sacrifice more. 

Note:  With all openness and sincerity, I was actually in doubt while listening to the preaching because it was as if I was eavesdropping to stories in exaggeration.  I don’t know if it’s God’s way of addressing my doubt but you  know what, the three (3) halogen lamps in front of the altar located at the back of the Preacher which were switched off at that night had turned on by itself.  Lastly, since July I stopped going to the altar for the offertory because I lost my job. Out of kindness of my church mate which is her initiative, it’s been twice that she got for me the Bible verse stub which is basically done on a draw lots inside an aquarium bowl.  I don’t know "again" if it’s God’s way of affirming the Preacher’s talk, but you know what, the Bible verse that I received from my co-church member was this, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20)