St Pio of Pietrelcina

Born Francesco Forgione, Pio entered the Capuchins and was ordained a priest. His ministry at San Giovanni Rotondo centred on Mass, confession and spiritual direction, while reported mystical gifts and the stigmata drew intense attention and investigation. He also helped establish a major hospital, the Home for the Relief of Suffering.

Pio lived through two world wars, the rise of mass media and changing Church approaches to reported mystical phenomena.

• Entering the Capuchin order
• Being ordained a priest
• Serving at San Giovanni Rotondo
• Receiving the stigmata according to documented devotional tradition
• Hearing confessions for long hours
• Helping found the Home for the Relief of Suffering

Eucharistic devotion, confession, intercession, patient suffering and practical care for the sick.

Pio is meaningful for people seeking repentance, spiritual direction or perseverance through chronic illness, but his life should not be reduced to extraordinary phenomena.

People turn to St Pio of Pietrelcina in matters of:

Merciful God, through St Pio’s intercession draw us to honest repentance, strengthen the sick and make our prayer fruitful in practical compassion. Amen.

1. 1887

   Is born in Pietrelcina

2. 1903

   Enters the Capuchin novitiate

3. 1910

   Is ordained a priest

4. 1916

   Begins his long ministry at San Giovanni Rotondo

5. 1956

   The Home for the Relief of Suffering opens

6. 1968

   Dies at San Giovanni Rotondo

• https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/09/23.html
• https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/

Source-quality status: unverified prototype