Is Padre Pio Trustworthy?
Francesco Forgione, OFMCap, better known as Padre Pio and as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Italian: Pio da Pietrelcina; 25 May 1887 – 23 September 1968), was an Italian Franciscan Capuchin friar, priest, stigmatist, and mystic. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, celebrated on 23 September.
Pio joined the Capuchins at fifteen and spent most of his religious life in the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo. He was marked by stigmata in 1918, leading to several investigations by the Holy See. Despite temporary sanctions imposed by the Vatican, his reputation kept increasing during his life, attracting many followers to San Giovanni Rotondo…
After his death, his devotion continued to spread among believers all over the world. He was beatified on 2 May 1999 and canonized on 16 June 2002 by Pope John Paul II. His relics are exposed in the sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, next to the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo, now a major pilgrimage site… End of extract…
Editor writes…
I have lost count of the number of videos about, and allegedly quoting, Padre Pio which I’ve stumbled across on YouTube when I’m searching for something – anything – else. For, although I was fascinated by Padre Pio as a schoolgirl when I would occasionally see him briefly on TV, I have never been tempted to read his life story, chiefly because I find the stories and quotes attributed to him totally off-putting. That, and the fact that he supposedly endorsed every imaginable unapproved or condemned apparition in the book, doesn’t endear him to me, one bit. I suppose I should do my own research, but I find the thought of the amount of time possibly necessary to unearth a trustworthy biographer a tad daunting.
In any event, videos such as the above really do not appeal to me at all and, predictably, attract superficial responses such as most of the comments published on the YouTube platform. This one – from Cathy – stood out for me: …Is there any source that authoritatively attributes these words to St Padre Pio? Did he ever put these words in writing?
Does anyone know? Can we – should we – trust anything attributed to Padre Pio?
Your thoughts…
Comments (53)
So what you’re really saying is: 1) You personally have found Padre Pio to be off-putting since you were a child on the basis of both quotations attributed to him and stories told about him; 2) Certain content on YouTube attributes Padre Pio with having endorsed apparitions which are either unapproved or have been condemned, which further does not endear Padre Pio to you; 3) you are yourself unable/unwilling to do the spadework to find out where the truth lies; 4) hence your question: ‘Is Padre Pio Trustworthy?’
I fail to follow your logic, if one can call it that. However, if I may say so, you do seem a trifle naive as to the workings of YouTube and, by implication, social media generally. Social Media is full of content in which affirmations are made without any critical apparatus to back them up. A Ph.D. dissertation, it ain’t. This is true in relation to Padre Pio, but it is also true in relation to Our Lady of Fatima, cures for cancer, whether or not Russia is winning in Ucraine, the best method for sourdough starter, or practically any other field of human knowledge and endeavour. If one wishes to incorporate such information into one’s life, one has to be prepared to do the square root, as it were, and ascertain the truth, for more often than not truth will not by itself jump up and bite one on the nose.
In the case of Padre Pio, I urge you to delve deeper. If you can get over your feelings, you might just discover, as I believe I did, the most important saint of the twentieth century, to say the least.
After all that, I was expecting at least a book recommendation, LOL!
Please share!
Michaela,
Me, too, LOL!
Michaela,
Me, too!
Leitourgos – thank you for a clear comment which offers examples, and cuts straight through all the nonsense. I personally believe that when we cause doubt on the Saints, which are approved by the Catholic Church, and then use these doubts to attempt to besmirch these Saints (as if we are offering truth) this definitely not a wise choice, if we want to be perceived as a pillar of Catholic Truth, “Catholic Opinion” this blog should be called, not Catholic Truth, as opinions are just that, opinions. Very saddened at this post to say the least. I am starting to believe that this particular ministry is to sow the seeds of doubt and confusion, after all who can make solid comments, then claim to not have the time to do the research. Sounds very lazy to me. Again, thanks for defending Padre Pio (not that he actually would need defending as his lifetime of fruits have made him a Saint). I would like to ask the editor of this blog how many hospitals she has established? Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House of Relief of Suffering) Hospital is one of Padre Pio’s greatest legacies. He was able complete this project thanks to the… https://www.padrepiodapietrelcina.com/en/padre-pio-hospital-casa-sollievo-della-sofferenza/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Sollievo_della_Sofferenza
https://operapadrepio.it/it/
Enrico G,
Please quote something – one example will do – to prove your baseless claim that I have sought to “besmirch” this saint.
Once I have that in hand, I will return to the rest of your wholly uncharitable comment.
Leitourgos,
I’m sorry to have misled you with my headline. I assumed (obviously wrongly) that readers and bloggers would understand that I was not accusing the saint of being untrustworthy, that the headline, as is the way with headlines, is really intended to make us think and provoke discussion. It’s a true saying: we learn something new every day!
Most of what you are saying has been answered by me in other comments, responding to other bloggers, but you may take consolation in the fact that I have just visited the National Centre for Padre Pio at this link https://www.padrepio.org/ and emailed them as follows…
Hello, there,
I have posted a discussion thread on our blog at
https://catholictruthscotland.com/2023/04/11/is-padre-pio-trustworthy/#comment-110525
My introductory remarks are being largely interpreted as an attack on Padre Pio, whereas I simply question so many of the sayings etc attributed to him.
I have made the point that there is nowhere to go online to check out the many quotes/reflections attributed to him, and the claims that he supported dubious apparitions, some of which have been condemned by the Church. While I can check out false claims about Fatima, at the Fatima Center in Canada, I find no such corrections anywhere online about the sayings etc attributed to Padre Pio, including here, on your site.
I would be grateful for your advice in this matter.
Kindest regards.
[Signed]
I’ll report back when I receive their reply.
Personally, I think Pope Saint Pius X is the most important saint of the twentieth century, not just because of his outstanding virtue, but because of his efforts to quell modernism, he held back the onslaught we are now experiencing for a good number of years. I’m not that interested in Pio but I’m open to being convinced, if there is evidence that he is not as he is presented in the video above – that didn’t appeal to me at all, I have to admit. Too yukky for me.
Bernie,
Snap! I tend to agree about Pope Saint Pius X – my home-schooling students had his life story (aimed at children) on their reading list, and I thoroughly enjoyed it with them. Edifying and inspiring.
What proof do you have that Padre Pio (a Saint) is guilty of endorsing what you claim? Quote > “I find the stories and quotes attributed to him totally off-putting. That, and the fact that he supposedly endorsed every imaginable unapproved or condemned apparition in the book, doesn’t endear him to me, one bit. I suppose I should do my own research, but I find the thought of the amount of time possibly necessary to unearth a trustworthy biographer a tad daunting”. So in other words you claim not to have time enough to research diligently to sort out fact from fiction, but you will have time enough to cause doubt and confusion on Saint Padre Pio. Seems quite strange behaviour, when in fact we should all be trying to save souls, not nit pick with he said she said nonsense. I personally find it quite off putting how in the so-called Catholic community there is so much back-stabbing and disunity. It is of no surprise that the devil is laughing with delight at us all, and you appear to facilitate this with ease. Personally, I believe that there are more important things to concern ourselves with, like unity in the Catholic Church could be a great start. When we start to criticize a Saint who received the Stigmata, a Saint who was beatified on 2 May 1999 and canonized on 16 June 2002 by Pope John Paul II, a Saint in fact who was responsible for a huge hospital erected in his name, when we criticize this Saint, it speaks loudly about who we actually are, it highlights our character. I feel that posts like these are the work of the devil which just wastes my time. Most disappointed with this post, very disappointed in fact. God bless. https://www.padrepiodapietrelcina.com/en/padre-pio-hospital-casa-sollievo-della-sofferenza/
Enrico G,
“What proof do you have that Padre Pio (a Saint) is guilty of endorsing what you claim?”
I did not say – anywhere – that Padre Pio is guilty of endorsing anything.
You quote me, clearly without comprehending my meaning. I will highlight those parts of this quote which you have clearly not understood:
Quote “I find the stories and quotes attributed to him totally off-putting. That, and the fact that he supposedly endorsed every imaginable unapproved or condemned apparition in the book, doesn’t endear him to me, one bit.
You further quote me…
“I suppose I should do my own research, but I find the thought of the amount of time possibly necessary to unearth a trustworthy biographer a tad daunting”.
I’m afraid I have very little spare time; I am committed, not just to the Catholic Truth newsletter, blog and dealing with correspondence arising from this apostolate, but I have other commitments as well which leave me with very little time to read the shelves of books already on my reading list.
When I read questionable claims about Fatima, though, I know where to go to check them out – but the tsunami of quotes, miracles, statements, and more attributed to Padre Pio, are impossible to check out. I just do not have the time.
Your extremely angry reaction to my commentary, however, is unnecessary. Yes, Padre Pio is a canonised saint but that doesn’t mean he was infallible during his lifetime, nor does it mean that I have to have a devotion to him. The purpose of this blog is to educate ourselves, so I was hoping to learn more about Padre Pio, hopefully even, to have someone come on and give evidence that he was NOT, for example, a supporter of the fake apparitions, as some claim. That would be much more helpful that savaging me for simply “asking the question(s)” so to speak.
Anyway, you might pray for me, asking Padre Pio’s intercession for a very special intention for me, at this time. That would be true charity. Thank you.
Uh-oh, dear Editor, you have just hit a nerve! I will say, at the outset of my comment, that I am convinced that I would not be here if it weren’t for Padre Pio. I will explain in a moment; but let me simply say that the best biography that, to my knowledge, has been written about this amazing saint is “Padre Pio,” by Fr. Charles M. Carty (of Carty & Rumble fame). Originally written in 1963, this comprehensive biography was re-published by TAN in 1973, five years after Padre Pio’s death. As you will read in this fascinating book, Padre Pio’s miracles, including giving sight to a girl who has no pupils, are nothing less than astonishing. His stigmata were thoroughly investigated by Rome, and once the investigation was complete, never again was the authenticity of Padre Pio’s wounds impugned.
When the U.S. Army Air Corps was conducting savage bombing raids of Italy during World War II, bomber crews saw a larger-than-life “monk” in the air before them, gesticulating to them to turn around and not drop their bombs on innocent villages. (This was attested to, by the way, by Army Air Corps pilots who, testifying at Padre Pio’s beatification, solemnly swore that they did indeed see this monk in the sky before them.) San Giovanni Rotondo is relatively close to the bomber base at Foggia (Amendola Airfield), where American bombers and pursuit planes were based once the Allies started gaining ground on the Italian peninsula. Padre Pio’s ability to read souls is amazing, and one of his spiritual daughters, Katharina Tangari, wrote a compelling book, titled by TAN in English, “Stories of Padre Pio,” wherein she tells us of her life under the saint’s spiritual direction. (Meanwhile, Mrs. Marinaio is editing another book by Madame Tangari, “Memories of Prison” — hopefully to be published soon — which treats of her imprisonment in a Communist prison in Brno, Czechoslovakia, in the 60s, after she was caught carrying religious goods and books into that country at the behest of her spiritual father, Padre Pio.) There is so much more that could be said about this amazing saint for our times.
Now for a personal anecdote. In the late Fall of 1943, my father (Angelo) was a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was an avionics technician on the B-17 Flying Fortress and, after staging to the Firth of Forth in Scotland, he landed in North Africa, and finally, after the Allied invasion of Italy, he found himself at Amendola Airfield in Foggia, Italy. He and his Catholic friends would take an Army jeep up the old trails into the mountains of Apuglia, to attend Padre Pio’s Mass every Sunday at the Capuchin monastery in San Giovanni Rotondo. After Mass one Sunday, my father casually said to Padre Pio, “Ci vediamo la prossima domenica.” (I’ll see you next Sunday.) The saint stopped, became pensive, and after looking up to heaven with a most serious look on his face, replied, “Yes, Angelo, you will.”
My father thought nothing of it at the time, but later that week he was working in the cockpit of a B-17 that was on the tarmac, just having returned from a bombing mission. My father’s responsibility was to remove the highly classified Norden M-9 bombsight, which had to be locked up in safes when not being used on missions. As he was going through the process of removing the bomb sight, he received what he said was an overwhelming urge to leave the plane and go to the hangar for coffee. He resisted the urge until the third time, when he finally He left the plane and walked to the hangar. (He thought he got a whiff of the roses which he sometimes smelled near the saintly Padre Pio.) At the hangar, as my father poured a coffee, he heard the B-17 — on which he had just been working — explode. For years, he would not talk about the painful memory of how they picked up pieces of their friends who had been aboard the plane when it happened.
The following Sunday, as soon as Padre Pio saw my Dad, he called out, “Angelo, I told you I would see you today!” So, dear Editor, my siblings and I, who would not otherwise be here, are believers. For that matter, my children and my grandchildren, as well as my numerous nieces and nephews, would not exist. (I will send you a photo by email of my father serving Christmas Mass for Padre Pio on 25 December1943.) I pray to Padre Pio at every Mass, and thank him for an inestimable gift — he was instrumental in seeing my father safely through the war, and hence to pave the way for my parents to marry, allowing them to cooperate with Almighty God in conceiving me.
Marinaio,
What a wonderful connection to Padre Pio you have! I am convinced that he is a genuine saint but that said, there are many stories that borders on the fantastical about him so I think Editor is right to be cautious of those. In 1988 we underwent a pilgrimage to his tomb.
Yes, Fr Carty’s book is excellent. I also have another book by a monk who was the saintly Padre’s assistant that is also a good read but can’t recall its title or author’s name due to it being in storage, and after an Internet search (I didn’t know there were so many relatively recent books written on Padre Pio!) couldn’t find it so maybe it’s out of print now. I’ll be very interested to see Mrs Marinaio’s editing of Madam Tangiri’s book so I’d like to know when it’s published.
There is also a very moving video on his last Mass wherein he was ordered under obedience to face the congregation (for interest sake, some thought he had said the NO Mass which is not correct as he was allowed to say the TLM, collapsed straight after and died that night) that makes for excellent viewing.
Warydoom,
“…he is a genuine saint but that said, there are many stories that borders on the fantastical about him…”
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I was 17 years old when Padre Pio died and the date has stayed with me (28 September, 1968) because something special (not of a truly religious nature) happened to me on that day and I recall hearing about his death and thinking that he was a saint. It’s all quite disconnected really, but I thought I’d mention it as proof positive that I am not an enemy of Padre Pio! 😀
Marinaio,
Yes, “hit a nerve” is one way of putting it 😀
Your story about Padre Pio is amazing – a wonderful first hand account from your father; thank you for publishing that here, and for sending me the photograph by email which is very clear. I couldn’t quite make out all the words on the plaque but it’s a real family treasure for you. Marvellous.
Marinao that is great Spirtual Experience that your Father had. And personally I believe especially in these days it is a very sad individual indeed who has not had a Spiritual Experience. But in saying that I contradict myself when you hear of Saints like Mother Theresa talk of the Dark Night of Her Soul. Am on both sides of the Aisles here for 2 reasons. I do not like Catholics arguing with one another about one Saint or another as it’s been said Saints are not infallible and I also believe that it was wrong of The Vatican to stop The Devils Advocate. I read a great Booklet on St Maximillian Kolbe regarding the Devils Advocate. IE did He take the place of the Auschwitz Prisoner because He knew He was going to Die Himself Etc Etc anyhow. I also think that if someone has a real devotion to a Saint then that’s great. But we all have our own special Private Prayer and Devotion which is personal to each of us .
St Padre Pio is a canonised saint – perhaps one of the greatest mystics of modern times. Unfortunately, many people with dubious claims have latched onto this, and make all sorts of claims for what he allegedly said / didn’t say / did / didn’t do, but we shouldn’t let this detract from the Saint himself. Let’s remember that at Lourdes, there was an explosion of alleged ‘apparitions’ and ‘seers’ – all eventually found to be unworthy of belief. No-one even remembers their names now, but Lourdes still continues. There’s always a danger of throwing the baby out with the bath water. I would advise reading some of St Pio’s spiritual writings – those authorised by San Giovanni Rotondo – which are very moving. Perhaps a better heading for this thread might have been ‘Should we trust everybody who makes claims using St Padre Pio’s name?’
WF,
I always think headlines are meant to provoke discussion and I suspect that’s what editor was thinking when she picked this headline, because if you read her intro, she isn’t saying that Padre Pio is untrustworthy – just what is attributed to him. In fact, she finishes the intro by asking for good sources.
Josephine,
Point taken. There are three volumes of his letters to his spiritual children. https://shop.stanthonyscatholicgifts.com/product/padre-pio-of-pietrelcina-letters-volumes-1-3 This was the first link I found, but I’m sure there are cheaper paperback versions.
WF,
Thank you for that link which I will study asap.
Regarding padre pio’s comments or attributions, lot of people or authors of their book or posters on Catholic forum had used padre pio’s words as ‘gospel’. It was becoming very tiresome when I read it on various places such as garbandal, 3 days of darkness etc. Cos there was no way of finding out if he did say that or it was plucked out of thin air. Its patently obvious that some people used Pio’s words as a crutch to stop any further discussion. Then afterwards, I stopped listening to his unproven attributions or comments.
But his 1st class relic was something else. One Sunday afternoon on Pio’s anniversary as a priest, a guy who met Padre pio loads of times back in 50s and 60’s as Pio tasked him for his future mission in Ireland(when he was alive) was to promote him after his death. He brought a couple of 1st class relics of Padre Pio to the church as he was well over in his 90’s that time. At that time, I have had breathing problems as it wasnt good. But when pio’s 1st class relic came near me, my breathing improved much as I became comfortable. It was an amazing experience re Pio relics cos I hadn’t experienced that kind before. That guy passed away some 4 to 6 weeks later. I believe Pio as I have read books on him for years as that was long before I actually saw and touched Pio’s 1st class relics.
FDS,
You have hit a nail on the head – the fact that so many of the false apparitions/prophecy groups have adopted Padre Pio as their own, with nobody challenging such claims, it causes some of us concern.
Your story of the relic is edifying – thank you for sharing that.
Josephine,
Nail on head! Oddly, I was thinking about my major critic, Eileenanne, only the other day – she always picked up on the headline, to rubbish the thread and so divert the discussion. I did try to appease her by making some headlines utterly accurate and impossible to misunderstand but, thankfully, she would disappear from the scene for a bit and I could return to fun headlines like, Is Eileenanne Gone for Good? – only I couldn’t quite find the nerve/courage to post… 😀
It’s about the only perk of this job, getting to choose a provoking headline. Anyway, it won’t be long until July so I suppose I’d better mend my ways between now and then.
WF,
Well, I can remember reading somewhere that San Giovanni Rotondo was not a reliable source for Padre Pio’s writings, but that was a while back so maybe things have changed.
Worry not about future headlines – I’ve made my position clear on that subject in reply to Josephine. My rule is to keep the headline to either one or two lines at most, but hey, if it means being absolutely crystal clear and not allowing for any possible misunderstanding of my position, then that particular baby WILL be thrown out with the bath water. It’s going to be difficult, mind you, when posting a headline about Pope Francis. I mean, into just how much detail do I need to go to make clear that I am not attacking the papal office? Rhetorical question. You’ll get my drift.
Editor,
I think the three volumes of Padre Pio’s writings to his spiritual children are entirely safe – they’ve been around for ages. I’m not sure I’d trust all elements in San Giovanni Rotondo today, but I don’t think that affects those writings which are well-known and have already been spread throughout the world for a long time.
To be fair, I think most, if not all, usual CT readers would understand where you are coming from, but when you’ve just posted a thread criticising LSN/Fr Michele Rodrigue, such a headline could easily be misused against you by your enemies, and that was what motivated my concern. I can see it now: Oh she criticises Fr Rodrigue, and in her next post she criticises Padre Pio! Ignore her! Of course you didn’t criticise Padre Pio, I know that, you know that. But people like JHW could use it to cause scandal to the ill-informed, who probably wouldn’t even read past the headline, and that is a consideration.
WF,
Thank you for your concern, which I appreciate. However, I don’t give a toss about JH Westen or anyone else who wants me to find time to research BOOKS on Padre Pio but won’t take the time to read, thoughtfully, a brief introductory few sentences on a blog. Gies a break! (Tr from Scottish: give me a break… )
It seems we can draw a parallel between the denizens of the netherworld busily burying Fatima beneath a mountain of enticing messages from false visionaries, and the pileup of statements attributed to St. Padre Pio. It is the same technique, used by the enemies of the Faith, both here on earth and below the earth.
RCA Victor,
That’s a good point, but the difference, as I see it, is that there are people who are ready to correct the fake news about Fatima – Christopher Ferrara and others at the Fatima Center spring to mind – while there is nobody that I can find who calls out the many quotes and statements attributed to Padre Pio. Before launching this thread I paid a visit to [what seems to be an] official site for the saint, and could find nothing much there – if I was prepared to fork out $10 or more, I could arrange for them to burn a candle for me but there was no challenge that I could find to the many claims made about Padre Pio – although I admit my visit was of the skim and escape type. Busy, busy, busy…
I’ve had my head down finishing the final copy of our Newsletter all day – almost there – which is why I’ve not had time to check out this thread today, except briefly in passing when I smiled a faint smile, laughed a hollow laugh.
It was all so predictable, you see. I’ll answer everyone individually asap but just this thought will suffice for now…
Pope John Paul II canonised Padre Pio, and during the controversies about his own, and other “fast track” canonisations, which were all discussed fully here on this blog, I am sure I’d have made the point which I’ve often made in verbal conversation, that when these canonisations come to be examined by the appropriate authorities in due course, perhaps only that of Padre Pio will survive the test.
That’s all I will say for now, but – be
warnedassured, I WILL be back 😀Am most certainly in agreement 100% with you their ED on Saintly Fast Track. In bygone years we knew as Catholics that it was at least 25Years before a Holy Person could be appointed a Saint.
Again another Modernist Heresy
( in my opinion )
See here link:
Thats the guy I met in a church back in 2015 to celebrate Padre Pio’s anniversary as ordained priest. His name was Donal Enright a promoter of Padre pio cause in Ireland before padre pio was made a Saint. He spent a year in San giovanni Rotondo as he’s good friends with Mary Pyle.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AJbkMk3ab1M
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1HeFTR8myfw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Bajf4YhlK3M.
Now the caupchins of Ireland had taken over D Enright when he passed away as a promoter of St Padre Pio.
I don’t want to risk the wrath of the Padre Pio Paramilitary on this blog (I never can resist an alliteration), but I’ve tried and failed to foster a devotion to him. I don’t know what it is, but something doesn’t feel right. I will, however, read the book by Fr Carty.
Petrus,
I’m just this minute reporting back to answer my critics, and wondering when to deliver the following blow – so thank you for, albeit unwittingly, easing the path for me, somewhat… 😀
There is nothing in Canon Law, and no Church requirement of any kind, for any Catholic to have any level of devotion at all, to any saint on the calendar. Indeed, the last time I paid a visit to a lifelong friend of mine, a nun who has spent over 40 years in a strict monastic Order, she told me that she had never felt drawn to any saint, and didn’t have a devotion to anyone except Our Lady. She is not jeopardising her salvation, worry not! Nor are you by your reticence in regard to Padre Pio, but let me know what you think about the Fr Carty book.
Editor,
Funny you should mention eileenanne because she crops up on social media now and again in response to my comments, usually on the Sancta Familia Media pages. However, she sometimes actually AGREES with me and offers some support, so I’m a bit of an eileenanne convert!!!
Having said that, she’s never forgiven me for taking her to task on the previous blog when she wrote about her dislike of relics and asking if we should use snake oil on the relics of the stable in Bethlehem! Those were the days when eileenanne and conceit (remember him?) would regularly come on and cause a rumpus.
Speaking of the stable, many years ago I was ascending my staircase in a foul mood, tripped over a box at the top of the stairs and proceeded to kick the box down the stairs in frustration. Little did I know, the box contained a handmade olive wood nativity set from Bethlehem! The stable actually split in two. I felt awful, so made a point of mentioning this at my next confession. The priest chuckled and asked, “So the stable became unstable?” He really did make me laugh!
I am not ashamed to admit that I have had a particular devotion to Padre
Pio for many years now and have placed my family under his care. I was even at the blessing by his relics at St John`s church at Barrhead a couple of weeks ago and managed to get to confessions and holy communion on the tongue for only the second time in the past 3+ years. I could even have had holy water if I had a bottle. If that had happened in my diocese, who turned down the offer to host them, that truly would have been a miracle.
I think it should be left to everybody`s own devices as to whether or not to adopt or have a devotion to any particular saint. I`ve read on here at times how we believe that St Anthony finds lost items and, albeit in the past mainly, we were all called after saints.
I think we would all agree, then maybe not, that our schools and churches
are all the better for being named after saints, which must be a form of devotion or respect.
Padre Pio, as far as I am aware, also suffered a period of being barred
from celebrating public worship so I think he would be the ideal person
for Fr Dunn to turn to.
I may, of course, be naive and havering.
Petrus
Surely the priest should have known you were confessing the loss of temper
rather than breaking the crib.
I think he did!
Dear Editor, “Is Padre Pio Trustworthy?” is in my opinion already casting doubt, although you claim you wrote this to provoke discussion. Obviously this title would cause several reactions, just as if someone used the title “Is the Pope a Pedophile”? and then claimed it was used to provoke discussion. You claim that my comments are uncharitable, really? I thought we are supposed to speak the truth? and now you claim that you are not against Padre Pio. To be fair, your post is most confusing, and it appears you are causing doubt as to weather we should trust Padre Pio based on comments/videos/blogs, that obviously he has nothing to do with. Of course now there is a bit of back peddling, in putting blame on my comment, as now apparently what you wrote means something completely different. Even though English is my first language, I think I may require additional English lessons, as apparently what is said or written in the English language means something completely different. I think you made yourself perfectly clear what you wrote, after all it was in the English language. You are a very intelligent person, with a more than perfect command of the English language. Furthermore. Quote > “I have never been tempted to read his life story, chiefly because I find the stories and quotes attributed to him totally off-putting. That, and the fact that he supposedly endorsed every imaginable unapproved or condemned apparition in the book, doesn’t endear him to me, one bit. I suppose I should do my own research, but I find the thought of the amount of time possibly necessary to unearth a trustworthy biographer a tad daunting”. < way, way, too many unknowns, and unless the research is diligently performed, the reliance on here say from the Internet, youtube videos, where every man and his dog can video their opinion, does not really help in developing a balanced opinion of anything, other than more confusion. Myself personally, I am never put of by anything said, written, or in videos, etc, (that is if I am truly seeking the truth). Is Padre Pio Trustworthy? I believe, yes, he most certainly is, and when a person carefully researches his life and what he has accomplished as a shepherd of the Church, it is no wonder the devotion which is attributed to this Saint. Many claims, both true, and fallacious, can and will be attributed to certain Saints, as this is the nature of people. From what I have learned, some Catholic websites see our faith as a cash cow, and this with this the promotion of false apparitions, which can lead a person astray. So much disunity in the Catholic Church, but I believe we are in the last chapter of the Bible, I may be wrong, but when transgenders prevent Catholics from worshipping in Sydney Maronite Church, this is the result, 500 + Catholic Maronites defending the Church, Crucifix broken, Lebanese go crazy mad, Police Riot Squad, etc. Needless to say that the next planned transgender protest on the day of, the march for the unborn, did not proceed due to safety concerns for the transgenders. "Trans activists break a Crucifix in Sydney, Lebanese Maronites defend their church in wild scenes (VIDEO)" https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/03/23/sydney-protest-trans-activists/ https://www.google.com/search?q=Christian+Sukkar&rlz=1C1GCEA_enAU844AU844&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:a3889258,vid:gxGhVV3jUyA
Enrico G,
You seem to have a fanatical devotion to Padre Pio, which you’re entitled to. But I think you have caricatured editor’s position, maybe you should read her comments again because I don’t see any back-peddling. You assumed that she didn’t like Padre Pio and she has shown that is not true. That is what happens in discussions, so you can call it back-peddling if you like but that’s just your opinion.
I got lost in the rest of your post which was all over the place about transgenders and Lebanese Maronites. I haven’t got a great concentration span, LOL!
Michaela,
How we got from Padre Pio to Lebanese Maronite Transgenders, then to a crucifix getting broken and the Lebanese going “crazy mad” I will never be able to fathom out!
Petrus,
LOL! Me, neither!
Enrico,
“ Even though English is my first language (are you sure?) I think I may require additional English lessons (I’d agree).
“Myself personally, I am never put of by anything said, written, or in videos, etc” (This isn’t very discerning, is it?)
Petrus,
It sounds to me like Enrico is obsessed with Padre Pio – that is not a good sign. We are supposed to use our reason alongside our faith and if he doesn’t question anything that is not a good sign. If Padre Pio was a real living saint I don’t think he’d have said half the things they say he did, such as speak in support of unapproved apparitions.
I am hoping editor will have a reply from the site she wrote to, and we will have some light cast on this.
Dear Petrus & Michaela I don’t have the luxury ATM of replying to you both individually, so I will reply to you both here, sorry… “unless the research is diligently performed, the reliance on here say from the Internet, you-tube videos, where every man and his dog can video their opinion, does not really help in developing a balanced opinion of anything, other than more confusion. Myself personally, I am never put off by anything said, written, or in videos, etc, (that is if I am truly seeking the truth)”. Petrus Quote “”(This isn’t very discerning, is it?)”” … Indeed it is very discerning, if you actually read what I wrote without conveniently obfuscating what I wrote. If a person truly seeks the truth, should they leave no rock unturned, or should they clutch at the first rock they see and perceive it as truth? You obviously cannot understand me, and that’s ok too, really. As for my alleged fanatical devotion to Padre Pio as mentioned by Michaela, and apparently I don’t question things as a result of a comment I made, I call utter nonsense to these unfounded claims. I must make it emphatically clear that I don’t have any devotion to any of the Saints, but judgments will be made against people to support their opinions, so “strawman arguments” may or will occur. In closing dear Petrus, I made mention that I believe that we are living in the last chapter of the Bible (revelations) and I posted some info/links of how Christianity in Australia is under attack by trans activists, which supports my sentiment, but was off topic. My bad, my apologies for getting side-tracked, it must be one of those glitches from my previous craniotomy. Maybe my English is legible, or maybe my English is illegible, maybe, maybe not. Never be afraid to speak the truth, your truth. God Bless both of you.
Good morning to you all.
I was interested when I saw this thread posted to see what resulted.
I have an affection for Padre Pio among a list of 20 saints. Why?
Sorry, pressed wrong button!
Because of his desired for souls to avail themselves of confession – one with Our Lady of Fatima.
Read the book Padre Pio, Man of Hope by Renzo Allegri and found that it explained a lot about his life and actions; in these I saw what I believe Christ is asking of we priests in serving his flock.
Have meant to go to his grave but never got self organised.
However I don’t believe it is wise to state the one saint or another is the most important in the C20th.
As individuals we are drawn to different things of God, if truly trying to find Him within the mortal weakness of our flesh. Some of us find “this leaning/guidance” edifying for our spiritual well being coming from this direction, others from that direction. It must be of God, and clearly one with Christ’s message in the gospel.
eg yes, not from C20th, however I find referring to St Monica’s words to St Augustine and his brother before she died when they were worrying about where to bury her,
“I don’t care what you do with this mortal body. All I ask of you is that you remember me at the altar of God.”
This helps me in reminding people to remember their loved ones regularly, if not always, when at Mass, or the altar of God. Different saints have different things to give to us, all of which are fruitful in different ways to souls.
I have now received a (wonderful) reply from the National Centre for Padre Pio, with attachments to disprove, categorically, that Padre Pio EVER (or would ever) speak out of harmony with the Church.
Reply from the National Centre for Padre Pio…
Hello Patricia,
Thank you for your inquiry. Your conundrum has quite a simple solution. There are volumes of letters written by Padre Pio, published officially by his friary in Italy, as well as a monthly magazine (The Voice of Padre Pio Magazine) that uses writings and teachings of Padre Pio in its content. The easiest thing for you to do would be to read the letters and/or subscribe to the magazine, both of which can be done through our website if you’re so inclined.
I will also state that there is an awful lot of misinformation available online, which is unfortunate. Personally, we only trust the official works and publications of Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Friary in San Giovanni Rotondo, as they are his confreres and custodians of his letters, relics, and personal belongings.
Something to keep in mind when you’re having discourse such as what’s in the link – Padre Pio NEVER spoke before the Church. He was obedient in every way. This is a pretty good way to tell if something being attributed to Padre Pio is true or not. Padre Pio would never indicate anything that would have been counter to the Church’s statements or teachings on the matter, either to affirm or deny. You can generally use that litmus test. If the Church didn’t give something credence, neither did Padre Pio.
I feel as though it’s a safe assumption that the dubious apparition you’re referring to is Garabandal. The Voice of Padre Pio magazine addressed this in the 1970s. I’ve attached the text and issue number for reference. The person answering the question, J.P., was Father Joseph Pius, a confrere and friend of Padre Pio when he was alive.
I also saw a mention of the Three Days of Darkness when I perused the discussion board; again, the Voice of Padre Pio magazine addressed this as well, both in the 1970s and again in 2020. I’ve attached that information as well.
Padre Pio has been dead for over 50 years. Many (if not all) of the questions you raise have been raised by others in the 50+ years since his death, and most (if not all) have been directly addressed by Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Friary through the Voice of Padre Pio magazine over the years. I’d suggest you subscribe to the magazine if you haven’t already, which you can do either through our website or through theirs, http://www.vocedipadrepio.com.
There are so many quotes and opinions attributed to Padre Pio, both accurate and inaccurate, that we couldn’t possibly list them all on the website. We handle them as they come in. If there is anything specific you’d like me to address I will, but I think that this will do for now. I do not intend to get into a back and forth to be used on that discussion board.
Thank you!
The above is a very fair – indeed comprehensive – response to my enquiry and the links (which I am unable to reproduce here, unfortunately)* demonstrate the Padre Pio did NOT support either Garabandal or the “Three Days of Darkness”.
Deo gratias!
* Below, WF posts a link to the attachments emailed to me by the National Centre for Padre Pio – here it is, for ease of reference.
https://gloria.tv/post/c8i4Gu26HHzB3wR3PDssL8xUv
The three links Editor refers to, along with the letter from the National Centre for Padre Pio, can be seen here:- https://gloria.tv/post/c8i4Gu26HHzB3wR3PDssL8xUv
WF,
Many thanks for that. I’ll copy that link into my post, quoting the letter from the National Centre for Padre Pio, attributing it to you. Thanks.
Editor,
You’re welcome. And what a great letter from the Padre Pio Centre, which proves he was always sound, always submitted to Holy Mother Church, and not shooting opinions off about alleged seers and suchlike, morning, noon and night, which is what some would have you believe. I’ve already taken a copy of that letter for when this blog goes down in future, and I advise others to as well.
I had to go to hospital today (outpatients) and I wasn’t looking forward to it at all. That aside, I received a card from a friend this very morning hoping that all went well. She’s not online and I hadn’t mentioned this thread at all. Inside – believe it or not – was a little 3rd class relic of St Padre Pio from San Giovanni Rotondo, sealed in plastic and stitched around the edges!
WF,
Amazing! Wonderful! Thanks for letting us know about that “coincidence”.
Editor,
I’ve just started reading the Fr Carthy book. I’m astonished at just how obedient Padre Pio was to the Church. For decades he was forbidden to speak publicly, preach, write etc. He could offer Mass and hear Confessions. That’s it. This he did with the utmost fidelity. In fact, he rejoiced that he could focus on the Confessional.
However, he was always mindful to avoid sensationalism and if there was any hint of it, he would encourage people to confess to their own priest, saying that God wants us to use the ordinary means of sanctification. Apparently, folk would come and say they wanted Padre Pio to hear their Confession because they were considering a vocation. Padre would send a message back saying he would pray for them but they should discuss it with their own confessor.
Then there’s the famous photograph of Padre Pio celebrating the Traditional Mass facing the people, which he only did under obedience. Apparently it had such a negative impact on him, he collapsed and never recovered.
I find it impossible to believe that this man would ever get involved in anything controversial. So, I would agree with your “deo gratias” above – there’s no way he would ever give any kind of approval to these apparitions.
Petrus
I’ve been following this discussion with a lot of interest and didn’t know what to think for a while but you’ve cleared everything up for me – thanks for that very informative comment. Obedience is always the litmus test, the saints all teach us that.