Medjugorje Apologia

Lovely new website in defense of Medjugorje which has clearly explained answers to questions and accusations against Medjugorje by critics.

http://www.medjugorje-apologia.com/index.html

A Hymn to Padre Pio by Alex Quinn

For the remarkable story of Alex Quinn from Belfast, or to find out more information on his CD "A Hymn to Padre Pio" and how to order it visit the web sites at the link below. All proceeds from the CD go to Padre Pio's Monastery in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.
http://www.padrepiodevotions.org/2010april.asp
http://barnbrack.bandcamp.com/album/a-hymn-to-padre-pio-with-lyrics

Words of St Padre Pio

The Secret of Padre Pio

The Secret of Padre Pio ; A Conversation between Father Nicholas Gruner and James Demers

Foreword by James W. Demers
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Padre Pio has been called "The Living Crucifix" because of the wounds in his hands and feet and in his side. But The Imitation of Christ that was Padre Pio was of course first of all in his heart and soul and mind before it was in his hands, his feet and his side.

It is easy to imagine that the spiritual classic, The Imitation of Christ, attributed to Thomas a Kempis, was as well known to Padre Pio as was his own rosary. So reflective of the character of Padre Pio are the sayings of the four books of The Imitation that it is hard to separate the words from Padre Pio's visage. One can almost hear him sigh these words, words sometimes glorious, sometimes homey, but always steeped in common sense. He might have uttered them when preparing to enter the confessional, or giving advice to penitents, or vesting to say Mass. One can easily imagine the useful reminders and the suggestions dancing like feathers of light in the purity of his soul when, during the Sacrifice of the Mass, he was totally lost to the sensible world. Time and again those who consider themselves spiritual children of Padre Pio comment on his immediacy, how he is instantly at their side when his name is called in times of distress. In The Imitation of Christ, that immediacy is put to the test and passes with radiant colors. Padre Pio might just as well be reading the words aloud to you, or better yet, reading them softly in the deepest reaches of your heart.

Kenneths Story

This is a true story that I would like to share. I feel God is telling me to share it with you as I have been putting it off.

Well its not a long story but here it goes, As you all know I turned back to God in early 2006, Since then I have prayed practically for the souls in purgatory as the need our help every day. Well in early December 07 I received some terrible news that a young friend of mine committed suicide, I was in shock its hard putting into words when you hear that devastating news.

The following day I started praying the Novena to the Scared heart of Jesus for my friend. The Novena prayer was recited everyday by Saint Padre Pio for all those who asked for his prayers.

Well at first my intentions were to pray it for nine days, well Christmas went by and soon it was the New Year then that rolled on into February and I was still saying it for my friend, then one morning after saying it, I said tomorrow I will say it for a different intention. Later that day the best way I can describe it was like a vision i could see my friend in front of me who I was praying for it lasted for a split second. I new God was telling me to keep saying the novena. I also remember at that time, I said to myself if I ever go to Medjugorje I would climb the mountain for this person.

The Story of Frederico Abresch

Signor Federico Abresch was born into a Lutheran family in Germany. At the time of his marriage to a Catholic girl, he became a Catholic more as an accommodation to his wife's religion than out of sincere conviction. Hearing of Padre Pio as a great miracle worker, he went to visit him with skeptical curiosity. When he approached Padre Pio for confession, he was told of certain grave sins that were omitted in previous confessions. Abresch stated to Padre Pio that he thought confession was good 'psychologically' but he did not believe in the divinity of the sacrament. But, deeply moved by the fact that he had read his past life, he now believed. Signor Abresch stated:

Your stories of Padre Pio...

I am introducing a new section where we can read each others testimonies and experiences of how St Pio has influenced our lives. If you send me your story to trshgn7@googlemail.com I will gladly include it. It doesn't have to be a huge miracle, sometimes the little things are more amazing!

May Jesus and His Holy Mother Bless you all this Easter time!

Padre Pio Movie Images

Absolutely beautiful movie images and photographs of Padre Pio from the early days....

http://www.conventopadrepio.com/it/component/content/article/34-padre-pio/94-benedizione-padre-pio.html

(click bottom right hand screen to enlarge)

Padre Pio, Priest and Victim

Interesting article by Monsignor Arthur Burton Calkins "Padre Pio, Priest & Victim"
 http://vultus.stblogs.org/2008/09/padre-pio-priest-and-victim.html

Statue of Baby Jesus travels from Holy Land to Padre Pio's monastery

San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, Jan 29, 2010 / 02:49 am (CNA).- Marking the first time the statue has ever left its sanctuary in Bethlehem, the original wooden sculpture of the "Little Child" Jesus was brought by its guardian, Fr. Jerzy Kraj, to the Sanctuary of St. Giovanni Rotondo on Thursday. During its visit, the statue will be taken to the children's cancer ward of a hospital founded by St. Padre Pio.


"With immense joy," announced the Capuchin Minor Friars among whom Saint Pio lived, "we will live here, in San Giovanni Rotondo, a 'great event of faith.' "We’ll live again the profound devotion of Padre Pio," they exclaimed in an official release for the arrival of the baby Jesus figure. According to friars, "the idea of this initiative was born during a pilgrimage to Bethlehem guided last October by... (the) rector of the sanctuary, in memory of the profound devotion of Padre Pio of Pietralcina for that which he called 'the divine Infant.' After clearing the idea with the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, plans were made for the pilgrimage. The statue arrived by helicopter on Thursday afternoon to be welcomed by the Capuchin superiors and the mayor of San Giovanni Rotondo, later it was taken to Our Lady of Grace Shrine, where a Eucharistic celebration was held.

Padre Pio

Bringing Christ into the world

by Theresita Polzin
What is the place of our Lady in our lives? She was the first one to do the thing each one of us must do - she brought Christ into the world. That is the one major task we all have. His life began in her when she bowed to the will of the Father and accepted the Holy Spirit. She said yes, and Christ began to grow in her. Wherever she went and whatever she did formed Christ in her so that one day she could give Him to others - to the world. Lord, that is the goal of my life - to say yes to the Father so that the Holy Spirit, working in me, will enable me to bring Jesus to everyone I meet.

The Rosary Walk

Padre Pio and his family used to walk the four kilometers from their home in Pietrelcina to their small farm plot in Piana Romana. While they walked, they used to say the rosary together. It became known fondly as 'The Rosary Walk'. It was later paved with cobbles and marked at certain places with a cross, representing the various scriptures represented by the 15 'decades'. This media presentation takes us from the town, past the bridge and ends in Piana Romana with a last view looking again at Pietrelcina.

St Pio's prophecy

Ave Maria!

Recently the 'Italian' Roving Reporter had a chance to catch up with Friar Anthony M. Servium at Villa Santa Lucia in Italy. Friar Anthony recounted a fascinating story regarding Padre Pio and his prophecy that a new shrine would be built between the town of Pietrelcina and the cave where the Archangel St. Michael appeared many centuries ago. Guess which religious order (apparently) has the privilege of fulfilling this prophecy? We also hope you enjoy some of the beautiful scenes of the friars' hike to the town of Monte Sant'Angelo.

December Prayer Group Reflection

by Fr. Francis A. Sariego

Dear Spiritual Children and Friends of Padre Pio,
The Lord give you His peace!

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to…Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph…the virgin’s name was Mary…The angel said to Her: O highly favored…The Lord is with you. Blessed are you…Do not fear…You shall conceive and bear a son and name him Jesus…The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you…the holy offspring to be born will be called Son of God…Nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1: 26-38)

Dear Children...

The 13th Day

Fr James Roots talks about Padre Pio miracle

Breath of Heaven

This lovely Youtube clip shows the scene from the beautiful film "The Nativity Story" from which the above photo still was taken, and also features Amy Grant singing "Breath of Heaven". Enjoy!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPbV_HTpyx0

Star of Bethlehem...

"I keep my eyes fixed on the East, in the night which surrounds me, to discover that miraculous star which guided our forebears to the grotto of Bethlehem."

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him... Then Herod...inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem... When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."

Loving mother of the Redeemer, gate of heaven, star of the sea, assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,yet remained a virgin after as before.
You received Gabriel’s joyful greeting, have pity on us poor sinners.
 

Padre Pio's Christmas Meditation

Appearing in volume four of the Italian-language edition of Padre Pio's letters, this essay was taken from Padre Pio's hand-written notebooks. "Padre Pio da Pietrelcina: Epistolario IV," Edizioni Padre Pio, San Giovanni Rotondo, 2002, pages 1007-1009. Translated by Frank M. Rega, December 2005.

Far into the night, at the coldest time of the year, in a chilly grotto, more suitable for a flock of beasts than for humans, the promised Messiah – Jesus – the savior of mankind, comes into the world in the fullness of time.

There are none who clamor around him: only an ox and an ass lending their warmth to the newborn infant; with a humble woman, and a poor and tired man, in adoration beside him. Nothing can be heard except the sobs and whimpers of the infant God. And by means of his crying and weeping he offers to the Divine justice the first ransom for our redemption.

He had been expected for forty centuries; with longing sighs the ancient Fathers had implored his arrival. The sacred scriptures clearly prophesy the time and the place of his birth, and yet the world is silent and no one seems aware of the great event. Only some shepherds, who had been busy watching over their sheep in the meadows, come to visit him. Heavenly visitors had alerted them to the wondrous event, inviting them to approach his cave.

Welcoming the Christ Child

by Renzo Allegri

All those who knew Padre Pio and spent time with him agree that Christmas was the liturgical feast which he most appreciated. He would prepare for this feast meticulously, and celebrate it with an enthusiasm that was enchanting. This he would do every year, both as a young man and when he was old. Fr. Ignazio da Ielsi, the guardian of the convent at San Giovanni Rotondo from 1922 to 1925, when Padre Pio was still young and had just received the stigmata, wrote in his diary: It is unnecessary to say with what passion Padre Pio celebrates Christmas. He thinks about it all the time. He counts the days to go from one Christmas or the next. The Baby Jesus holds a special attraction for him. It is enough for him to hear a Christmas carol or a lullaby and his spirit soars. To look at him you’d think he were in ecstasy.

Stay with me, Lord

Prayer of St. Pio of Pietrelcina after Holy Communion

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, for as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of love.