St. Padre Pio, the humble Capuchin friar, captured the hearts of millions through his extraordinary spiritual gifts and unwavering devotion to Christ. Known for his deep love for God and compassionate intercessions, Padre Pio’s life was one of surrender to the Holy Spirit, allowing this divine presence to guide him through both joy and suffering. The Holy Spirit granted him gifts of healing, prophecy, and discernment, which he used selflessly to bring comfort and faith to those who sought his help. His example inspires us to trust fully in God’s plan, even when it requires enduring life’s most profound challenges.
Central to Padre Pio’s spirituality was his relationship with the Holy Spirit, his source of strength and a constant companion in his ministry. Through this relationship, Padre Pio received a supernatural resilience that allowed him to embrace the difficulties of his life. He often encouraged others to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit, teaching that it is through this divine presence that we gain the courage to walk faithfully, love deeply, and pray unceasingly.
Padre Pio bore the stigmata, the physical manifestation of the wounds of Christ on one’s body, and he suffered tremendously because of it. For over 50 years, he bled from his hands and feet daily. It was only through an unbreakable dedication to intense prayer, austerity, and guidance of the Holy Spirit that St. Padre Pio led such a life characterized by personal holiness amidst such severe agony.
Padre Pio wrote many letters to his spiritual directors throughout his life, and in them, he revealed just how much physical and spiritual suffering he was undergoing. In 1918, St. Pio described in a letter seeing a celestial figure who plunged a flaming blade into his soul, causing him to feel as if he had died. Later that year, in a letter to a fellow priest, he wrote, “I am dying of pain because of the wounds and the resulting embarrassment I feel deep in my soul.” In another letter to a spiritual directee, he apologized for his delayed response because he had been sick in bed for three days.
Renzo Allegri, a journalist who visited Padre Pio the year before he died wrote that he bore his crosses without complaint and lived a selfless life in spite of his suffering. Padre Pio truly was a role model for redemptive suffering and the power of relying on God.
After he passed away in 1968, over 100,000 people attended Pio’s funeral. And in 2002, over 500,000 gathered in Rome for his canonization.
To honor Padre Pio’s profound relationship with the Holy Spirit, Relevant Radio offers Welcoming the Holy Spirit with Padre Pio by Susan De Bartoli, a devotional that brings readers closer to this saint’s spiritual insights. Through quotations from Padre Pio, short stories, prayers, and reflection questions, each chapter invites readers to foster their own relationship with the Holy Spirit. This devotional is a journey into Padre Pio’s heart and offers practical ways to incorporate his wisdom into our own lives.
SPECIAL PREMIUM $365 LEVEL – “Welcoming the Holy Spirit with Padre Pio” by Susan De Bartoli (Relevant Radio-Branded)
In this Relevant Radio branded devotional, author Susan De Bartoli invites you to explore St. Padre Pio’s relationship with the third Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit—the source of all spiritual gifts. Each chapter offers quotations from St. Padre Pio, a short story about the saint, a prayer, and reflection questions that you can apply to your own life.
GIVE NOW
If you have already given to support our Join the Family Pledge Drive, thank you for your generous support!
