One of the better well known and inspirational religious figures of the 20th century was Padre Pio. A Capuchin monk who never left Italy, he made an unforgettable impact on the lives of anyone who met him. The first priest ever known to receive the wounds of Christ in the stigmata, he was recognized for his ability to read souls, to be insightful and profound in hearing confessions, to be an agent of God's healing to many, and even bi-locate, meaning that he could be in two places at the same time. His cause for canonization was a lengthy and arduous one since every homily, written text, or message had to be reviewed and examined for the chance that it would have been in error and prohibited his cause from being approved.
Padre Pio has been chosen as one of the patron saints for our Foundation since there is a personal experience with Little Audrey, even though he had died nearly twenty years earlier. Linda, Audrey's mother, tells the story of when they were preparing Audrey's items to go home, she and her mother went to the hospital cafeteria for coffee. When the returned, the nurse explained that a man in a brown robe had been in to see Audrey. He had whispered in Audrey's ear, and she got busy with Audrey's medical needs and didn't see him leave. As one of them handed an image of Padre Pio to the other, the nurse exclaimed that it was him! The man who had visited Audrey was the same as the one in the photo. When Linda explained that it wasn't possible since he had died nearly two decades earlier, she responded that she was certain, she would never forget "those funny gloves." So, for the feast of Saint Pio of Pietrolcina, we invite you to pray to him and ask his prayers for your needs and for Audrey's cause.
Prayer to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
O Jesus, from your most Sacred Heart you pour forth a fountain
of divine mercy in the Eucharist,
help me to love and adore you
at every Mass.
You gifted your servant Saint Pio
with the marks of your passion
and the unique gifts of discernment
and understanding to lead souls to you.
You shared these same gifts with your servant ‘Little Audrey.’
By the prayers of Saint Pio
help us to accept the crosses
and sufferings of our lives
and to ascend the path of holiness.
May the prayers of Saint Pio help all
to know the witness of Little Audrey
and give you glory
now and forever. Amen.