ARTICLE: "50 YEARS OF THORNS AND ROSES" -- P. PIO DA PIETRELCINA
  |
| |
|
Dear Friends in Christ:
We viewed earlier today a wonderful video on the subject. It was awful and
inspiring!
Today is Padre Pio's birthday -- he was born May 25, 1887, and died Sep. 23,
1968. Pope John Paul II will declare Padre Pio a Saint of the Church and
canonize him on Sunday, June 16, 2002.
A Mass commemorating the 115th Anniversary of the Birth of Blessed Padre Pio
is scheduled at the Basilica of the National Shine of the Immaculate
Conception, Washington, DC, at 10:00 a.m., in the Crypt Church. Fr. Kevin
Treston, O. F. M., will be the celebrant and homilist. Rosary begins at 9:30
a.m.
Padre Pio was born of simple, humble and hardworking farm people and
christened Francis. Tutored privately until age 15, he entered the novitiate
of the Capuchin Friars, and had a vision at 16. He was ordained a priest on
Aug. 10, 1910 at Our Lady of Grace Church, San Giovanni Rotunda, Italy.
On Sep. 20, 1918, Padre Pio received the stigmata, five wounds of Our Lord
Jesus Christ on his chest, hands and feet. He fell to the ground from intense
pain and ineffable suffering, but derived great joy from his very close union
with God, fostered by his burning love of the Eucharist and of Our Lady. He
was unjustly accused, subjected to intense medical scrutiny and placed in
isolation for two years. On July 6, 1933, he celebrated Mass once more in
public. In March 1934 he was permitted to hear confessions, later extended in
May 1934 to include women.
Padre Pio traveled in a wheel chair for the last two years and on Sep. 22,
1968 told his superior that he wanted to renew his religious vows. The
following day, Sep. 23, 1968, with the words "Jesus, Mary" on his lips, he
gently bowed his head and passed into the arms of his Creator. He was known
in life for his piercing black eyes, ready to condemn but always ready to
forgive.
The preliminaries of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization were opened
in November 1969. From Obedient Servant of God, Padre Pio was declared
Blessed on May 2, 1999, and will be canonized Saint on June 16, 2002. Let us
pray that his life may be a beacon of light and inspiration for us all.
God Bless:
Clare & Pat de Sousa
PS: Above notes were taken from a Video: Pare Pio: 50 Years of Thorns and
Roses, Narrated by Edmond Purdom. Any unintentional error or omission is
regretted. The video, which includes footage of his beatification, was
produced by P. Pio Wenzonsky Production. It is available through Human Life
International, #B-8-01000, for US $19.00, www.hli.org, 500/549-5433, E-mail:
hli@hli.org -- they also have other books, like Padre Pio: The Wonder Worker
(Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate) #C-6-34000, US $12.50 (softcover 91
pp). Postage and Handling Orders $10-50 $5.50.
PPS: Also, Tej-Prasarini, Don Bosco Communications, Matunga, Mumbai 19, has
produced a well researched biography on Bl. Jose Vaz, "Through Storm and
Tempest" by Fr. Michael Mascarenhas, sdb. Cost is $5 plus Postage, e-mail:
tej@vsnl.com (Fr. Darryl D'Souza, sdb, May 22, ARTICLE, BL. JOSE VAZ refers).