Saint Who?
Saints Who Saw Angels
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
Priest († 1968) Feast: September 23
Although he was given the name Francesco Forgione at birth, the entire world came to know him as Padre Pio.
Born to poor farmers in Pietrelcina, Italy, Francesco was always a devout but sickly child. His parents made many sacrifices to help him receive an education and become a Capuchin Franciscan priest. Despite serious health problems, he was ordained at the age of twenty-three, and six years later, he was sent to San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy. He spent the rest of his life in this community.
During his five decades as a priest, Pio’s mystical gifts made him famous. According to many witnesses, he received the stigmata, bilocated, was attacked by the devil, and could read his penitents’ consciences. But Pio was also deeply devoted to the guardian angels. After all, he had a particularly close relationship with his own. Pio told his friends to send their guardian angel to him if they were in any trouble. Many of those friends testified that Pio seemed to know immediately about their problems, faster than a plane or telegram could convey news, when they asked their guardian angels to tell Pio. Angels, after all, are not limited by their material bodies and are always ready to help us draw closer to God so that we can spend eternity together in heaven.
Heavenly Father, send your angels
to help us join you in heaven.
