Pater Pio
Saint Pater Pio (or Padre Pio) (May 25, 1887 - September 23, 1968) was an Italian priest who had stigmata for many years. He acquired fame as a miracle worker and clairvoyant. He is also alleged to have been able to bilocate and was granted a dispensation from ever saying the Novus Ordo Mass. On June 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II proclaimed the famous Pater Pio as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
Biographical outline:
- Born in Pietrelcina, Italy
- Baptised in Santa Anna Church, Pietrelcina
- Joined Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in 1903
- Ordained in Cathedral of Benevento in 1910
- Assigned priest at Santa Maria degli Angeli (Our Lady of the Angels), Pietrelcina; stigmata began
- Served in Italian Medial Corps 1917-1918
- Began plans for Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home to Relieve Suffering) in 1940; hospital opened in San Giovanni Rotondo in 1956
During the communist totalitarianism, Pater Pio told to Cardinal Tomasek: "You will not die, until your motherland will be free." Although this appeared to be impossible, especially after the occupation of
Czechoslovakia in 1968, his prophecy became a reality in 1989. Cardinal Tomasek and together with him all of Czechoslovakia lived to see freedom.
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