Saint Pio has often been considered one of the greatest saints of all time among Catholic priests and worshipers. For, while there have been saints known for healing, reading souls and levitation, there have been few whom bore the sign of the stigmata. While this is the case, Saint Pio Pedro Of Pietrelcina bore the Stigmata Catholic Priest from which he was made a saint proudly. For, the natural scars represented by the religious symbol are considered the Holy Wounds Of Christ.
Padre Pio of Pietrelcina who died in 1968 not only had all these abilities and more. In fact, up until the time of Saint Pio had there been no such miracle worker since the time of St. Francis of Assisi, whom had been known as a healer and miracle worker of humans and animals. As such, it is no surprise that Saint Pio was an avid follower of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Most of those bearing the Holy Wounds of Christ are members of the Catholic church or some religious order. When it comes to the history behind the symbol, Saint Francis of Assisi was the first recorded stigmatic in the history of Christianity to display symptoms. After which, St. Pio reported stigmata which were later studied by several 20th century doctors, all of whom had no explanation as to how or what caused the religious symbol to appear.
While there are even a number of Catholics whom defy the possibility of these actions, there are many others whom believe in the mystery of the stigmata. For, there are accounts by individuals in the past and present whom have witnessed such events. In one account, a worshiper tells the story of the face of Saint Pio being transfigured into the face of Jesus during a Consecration ceremony. Whereas, a witness claims Saint Pio was at the Vatican when clearly the saint was still at the San Giovanni monastery.
Previous reports of stigmatics haven taken different forms. For some, all five Holy Wounds which Jesus experienced on the cross are present. Whereas, others display wounds to the forehead caused by the crown of thorns. The first stigmatic to bear a crown of thorns occurred in the 20th century when Marie Rose Ferron began noticing and taking photographs of the marks.
A follower of Saint Francis of Assisi, Pio was born in 1887 at Pietrelcina. Being the son of Grazio Forigone and Maria Giuseppa De Nunzio, the saint was baptized one day after birth and given the name Francesco. Then, when 12 years of age, Francesco received the Sacrament of Confirmation and participated in Holy Communion. After which, Francesco became a member of the Catholic church, participating in all Holy Sacraments.
After entering the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at Morcone, the saint accepted the Franciscan habit and the name Brother Pio. After which, Pio took vows to become a priest. Upon ordination as a priest, health issues required Pio to stay home with family until 1916. During this time, Pio reflected largely on the good works which had been accomplished and enjoyed time spent with family and friends.
In 1916, Saint Pio was sent to the San Giovanni Rotunda where he remained until having departed this world in 1968. Considering all the good works the saint had accomplished in life, to say the loss was tragic is an understatement. Although, as with Saint Francis of Assisi and others, Saint Pio still answers prayers of the people on an ongoing basis, even beyond the grave.
Padre Pio of Pietrelcina who died in 1968 not only had all these abilities and more. In fact, up until the time of Saint Pio had there been no such miracle worker since the time of St. Francis of Assisi, whom had been known as a healer and miracle worker of humans and animals. As such, it is no surprise that Saint Pio was an avid follower of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Most of those bearing the Holy Wounds of Christ are members of the Catholic church or some religious order. When it comes to the history behind the symbol, Saint Francis of Assisi was the first recorded stigmatic in the history of Christianity to display symptoms. After which, St. Pio reported stigmata which were later studied by several 20th century doctors, all of whom had no explanation as to how or what caused the religious symbol to appear.
While there are even a number of Catholics whom defy the possibility of these actions, there are many others whom believe in the mystery of the stigmata. For, there are accounts by individuals in the past and present whom have witnessed such events. In one account, a worshiper tells the story of the face of Saint Pio being transfigured into the face of Jesus during a Consecration ceremony. Whereas, a witness claims Saint Pio was at the Vatican when clearly the saint was still at the San Giovanni monastery.
Previous reports of stigmatics haven taken different forms. For some, all five Holy Wounds which Jesus experienced on the cross are present. Whereas, others display wounds to the forehead caused by the crown of thorns. The first stigmatic to bear a crown of thorns occurred in the 20th century when Marie Rose Ferron began noticing and taking photographs of the marks.
A follower of Saint Francis of Assisi, Pio was born in 1887 at Pietrelcina. Being the son of Grazio Forigone and Maria Giuseppa De Nunzio, the saint was baptized one day after birth and given the name Francesco. Then, when 12 years of age, Francesco received the Sacrament of Confirmation and participated in Holy Communion. After which, Francesco became a member of the Catholic church, participating in all Holy Sacraments.
After entering the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at Morcone, the saint accepted the Franciscan habit and the name Brother Pio. After which, Pio took vows to become a priest. Upon ordination as a priest, health issues required Pio to stay home with family until 1916. During this time, Pio reflected largely on the good works which had been accomplished and enjoyed time spent with family and friends.
In 1916, Saint Pio was sent to the San Giovanni Rotunda where he remained until having departed this world in 1968. Considering all the good works the saint had accomplished in life, to say the loss was tragic is an understatement. Although, as with Saint Francis of Assisi and others, Saint Pio still answers prayers of the people on an ongoing basis, even beyond the grave.
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