St. Padre Pio (Francesco Forgione) was a priest and friar in the Capuchin order. An Italian, he was beatified and canonized by St. John Paul II and is widely known for various supernatural phenomena such as exhibiting the stigmata, being a catalyst for various miracles, and bilocating.
Padre Pio (1887–1968) is the patron saint of adolescents, stress relief, civil defense volunteers, and January blues. His feast day is Sept. 23.
St. Padre Pio, pray for us!
- St. Padre Pio was known to have stigmata
On Sept. 20, 1918, Padre Pio received the stigmata while praying in a church. They remained visible on his body for the rest of his life. The stigmata correspond to the wounds suffered by Jesus during his crucifixion.
- St. Padre Pio’s stigmata wounds had a distinct aroma
The blood that came from Padre Pio’s wounds is said to have smelled like flowers or perfume, a trait referred to as the “odor of sanctity” that has also been exhibited by other saints who manifested stigmata markings.
- St. Padre Pio saw and spoke with Jesus, Mary, and his guardian angel as a young boy
“In his simplicity, Francesco assumed everyone had the same experiences,” according to PadrePioDevotions.org.
- St. Padre Pio was religious from a young age
Padre Pio was deeply connected to his faith starting at an early age. At the age of 5, he consecrated himself to Jesus. When he was 10, his family looked to see how he could become a Capuchin friar.
- St. Padre Pio had the gift of bilocation
There are many eyewitness accounts that claim Padre Pio was able to be in multiple places at once. Some come from his fellow friars who are said to have seen him in prayer outside when they knew he was still in his room. Others come from those who are said to have seen him on different continents the world over. Perhaps the most famous claim is that he appeared in the sky over San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, during World War II.
