Wednesday, May 25, 2011

A Special Day for Saint Padre Pio: Born 124 Years Ago Today!

Vacation Rerun: Saints Alive! Padre Pio and the Stigmata: Sanctity on Trial

by Fr. Gordon J. MacRae on May 25, 2011 ·

Fr. Gordon J. MacRae, These Stone Walls, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, patron saints, Saint Pio, Padre Pio, Francesco Forgione, Padre Pio and the Stigmata, Padre Pio's Birthday

While choosing posts to re-visit on These Stone Walls, I decided to begin and end the month of May with tributes to our patron saints, St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Saint Padre Pio has shown himself behind these stone walls – the ones I live within – to be a Patron Saint for those who suffer injustice and choose to surrender that suffering to the transforming power of grace.

Pio_at_14
     
Pietrelcina

Pio at 14 years old.

An example of the subtle ways Saint Padre Pio has been an inspiration is this: I decided to end the month of May by asking readers to re-visit this post in his honor, but I had no idea at the time that today, 25 May, is also Saint Padre Pio’s birthday. Francesco Forgione, who became the modern world’s most beloved Saint Padre Pio, was born 124 years ago today on 25 May 1887 to Mario Forgione and Maria Giuseppa de Nunzio Forgione in Pietrelcina, Italy. On the next day, 26 May 1887, he was baptized.

Pioparent

Mario Forgione and Maria Giuseppa de Nunzio Forgione

I invite TSW readers to join us in honoring Saint Padre Pio on his birthday. Click here to visit “Saints Alive! Padre Pio and the Stigmata: Sanctity on Trial.”

This is a very special day for friends of Saint Padre Pio. Click below to find out why at These Stone Walls:
 
These Stone Walls



 

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