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Feast Day: September 23
Saint Padre Pio: A Holy Friend of Jesus
Saint Padre Pio lived in Italy. He was born in a small town called Pietrelcina on May 25, 1887, and his family gave him the name Francesco. His parents were Grazio and Maria, and they didn’t have much money, but they had a lot of love and strong faith in God.
As a little boy, Francesco loved going to Mass and being close to Jesus. He even served as an altar boy. He liked to pray and talk to Jesus, Mary, and even his guardian angel! He thought everyone could see them, just like he did.
Francesco wanted to be a friar (a special kind of priest who lives in a religious community). His parents helped him study, and when he was 15 years old, he joined the Capuchin friars and took a new name: Padre Pio.
Padre Pio became a priest in 1910. He loved helping people and spent many hours each day hearing confessions. Padre Pio said that going to confession was like giving your soul a bath — and we all need to keep our souls clean!
Padre Pio loved Jesus so much that he shared in Jesus' suffering. While he was praying, he received the same wounds Jesus had when He died on the Cross — in his hands, feet, and side. These are called the stigmata. They were real and painful, but Padre Pio never complained. The wounds even gave off a sweet smell, like flowers!
Padre Pio also had to be very brave. The devil tried to scare him many times, but Padre Pio trusted in God’s power and never gave up.
Padre Pio was often sick himself, so he knew how hard it was to suffer. That’s why he helped build a big hospital for people who were hurting. It was called Casa Sollieva della Sofferenza, which means “Home for the Relief of Suffering”. It is still helping people today!
Padre Pio died in 1968, and many people still pray to him and ask for his help. He once said:
“In books we seek God, in prayer we find Him. Prayer opens God's heart.”
Now, Saint Padre Pio is in heaven, still praying for us. He reminds us to:
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