Saint Pio of Pietrelcina – Padre Pio

I was born in 1887 in an actively Catholic family. When I was 15 years old I entered the Capuchin friary and received the name Pio in honour of the patron saint of my town. After years of prayer and study whilst living according to the Capuchin Rule, I was ordained a priest. One day, while I was praying I had a vision of Jesus who suffered so much on the Cross. Suddenly such wounds also appeared on my hands, feet and side. I did not know what I had done to deserve this great grace. Hundreds of believers came to receive my blessing, receive Holy Communion, or receive absolution in the sacrament of Reconciliation. I spent many hours in the confessional. Probably aided by my physical suffering, I had a special compassion for sick people. I asked that a hospital be built near the friary in 1948, which we called the “House for the Relief of the Suffering”. I spent my last years in a remote mountain town. I died in 1968.