Padre Pio

Padre Pio, known for his mystical experiences and miraculous healings, underwent an extraordinary experience shortly after his ordination. In a garden, while praying, he saw Jesus and Mary, which resulted in the first stigmata on his hands. For years, he struggled with invisible wounds until September 20, 1918, when he once again received the visible signs of Christ's wounds. Although his stigmata disappeared before his death in 1968, his life and work continue to fascinate many believers today.

A month after his priestly ordination, something extraordinary happened to Padre Pio. He was in the garden, praying and meditating in the shade of an elm tree, when Jesus and Mary appeared to him. He suddenly felt a sharp burning sensation in the palms of his hands and saw the wounds of Christ. He ran to Parish Priest Pannullo and said, "Uncle Tore, I beg you, let us pray to Christ to free me from these signs. I desire to suffer, to die from suffering, but let it be hidden." The signs disappeared.

The phenomenon repeated itself a year later. Padre Pio described his suffering this way: "Red spots, about a centimeter in size, appeared in the center of both hands. This was accompanied by a strong, piercing pain, affecting my left hand. I also felt pain under my feet." "From Thursday until Saturday, and also on Tuesday, I experienced immense pain. My heart, hands, feet—as if pierced by a sword—I experienced such terrible pain." Padre Pio prayed for the signs to disappear. And they did. However, they remained invisible.

On September 20, 1918, Padre Pio again, after eight years, received visible signs of Christ's wounds - the stigmata. This is how he himself describes it: "I was sitting in the choir after celebrating Mass when a certain heaviness, similar to sleep, took hold of me. All my internal and external senses, as well as my soul, were immersed in an indescribable peace. While I was in this state, I saw a mysterious figure nearby, similar to the one I had seen on August 5th, with the difference that this one had arms, legs, and side dripping with blood. The sight terrified me. I experienced feelings I will never be able to describe. I felt that I was dying, and would have died if the Lord had not supported my heart pounding in my chest. When the mysterious figure disappeared, I noticed that my hands, feet, and pierced side were dripping with blood. Imagine the torment I experienced then and continue to experience every day. The heart wound bleeds profusely, especially from Friday evening until Saturday morning."

Padre Pio became famous for his miraculous healings and his ability to bilocate (be present in two places at once). He restored sight, health, and strength to many, and helped many in need. To this day, it remains unclear why the stigmata began to fade in the last year of Padre Pio's life and disappeared completely on the day of his death. Padre Pio died in 1968.