[STARWISE]

A silicon hand-painted bearded mask of the face of Padre Pio, an Italian saint, is seen on his body laying in repose inside a crystal casket in the crypt of the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, Thursday, April 24, 2008. The body of Padre Pio, a hugely popular Italian saint, was put on public display Thursday, and thousands of people gathered to pray to the mystic monk who many Catholic faithful believe suffered wounds similar to those of Jesus' crucifixion.

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Prayer for the Intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Dear God, You generously blessed Your servant,
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, with the gifts of the Spirit.
You marked his body with the five wounds
of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness
to the saving Passion and Death of Your Son.
Endowed with the gift of discernment,
St. Pio labored endlessly in the confessional
for the salvation of souls.

With reverence and intense devotion
in the celebration of Mass,
he invited countless men and women
to a greater union with Jesus Christ
in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Through the intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina,
I confidently beseech You to grant me
the grace of (here state your petition). Amen.

Glory be to the Father... (three times).

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Prayer of Pope John Paul II to St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Pope John Paul II recited this prayer
on the occasion of the canonization of Padre Pio, June 16, 2002

Teach us, we pray, humility of heart,
so that we may be counted
among the little ones of the Gospel
to whom the Father promised to reveal
the mysteries of His Kingdom.
Help us to pray without ceasing,
certain that God knows what we need
even before we ask Him.

Obtain for us the eyes of faith that will help us recognize
in the poor and suffering, the very face of Jesus.
Sustain us in the hour of trouble and trial and, if we fall,
let us experience the joy of the sacrament of forgiveness.
Grant us your tender devotion to Mary,
mother of Jesus and our Mother.

Accompany us on our earthly pilgrimage
toward the blessed Homeland,
where we too, hope to arrive to contemplate forever
the Glory of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Pope John Paul II visited Padre Pio's grave on May 27, 1987

Padre Pio Was Proclaimed Blessed on May 2, 1999. He was proclaimed a saint on June 16, 2002. The ceremonies were presided by the pope John Paul II, in Saint Peter's square. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims were present.

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Pray for us, St. Pio of Pietrelcina.

[NYer]

Beautiful!!! Thank you for posting those photos.

For the benefit of visitors to this thread, here is some of the history of Padre Pio.

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"In order to attract us, the Lord grants us many graces that we believe can easily obtain Heaven for us. We do not know, however, that in order to grow, we need hard bread: the cross, humiliation, trials and denials." Padre Pio

His Spiritual Life Padre Pio and the Immaculate Heart Padre Pio and the Sacred Heart Mysticism in general Padre Pio's mysticism Bilocation and Odor of Sanctity Stigmata Poor Souls Guardian Angels

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Some Prayers and Meditations by Padre Pio

[spectre]

I made this novena to St. Padre Pio every single day after I was dignosed with cancer. I felt no fear and kept the faith that according to his word, he would pray to intercede on my behalf.

Thank you, Saint Pio for your blessed intervention.

""Prayer is the best weapon we possess, the key that opens the heart of God." These are the words of Padre Pio (now known as Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina) and they adequately encapsulate his approach to faith as well as his overall spiritual practice".

sw