Francesco Forgione was born to a poor farm family in southern Italy in 1887. The family had an abundant faith life, and by the age of five Francesco displayed signs of holiness and a desire to become a consecrated religious. He entered the Capuchins at age 15 and took the name “Pio” after Pope Pius I. Padre Pio had many mystical visions, saw and talked to guardian angels, levitated, bilocated, could read people’s consciences in the confessional, performed miracles, was attacked by demons, and received the marks of the stigmata. He built a hospital with a goal of caring for ailing souls as well as bodies, and his emotional celebration of the Mass sometimes lasted three hours.
CHALLENGE
St. Padre Pio said, “In the spiritual life he who does not advance goes backward. It happens as with a boat which always must go ahead. If it stands still the wind will blow it back.” It’s common to reach a comfortable plateau in our spiritual lives where our faith life becomes routine. Today, prayerfully examine your faith life, then shake up your routine and make a conscious effort to advance.
