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.