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Father Charles M. Mangan

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) was to the middle part of the twentieth century what Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) was to the latter: a spiritual giant who captured the interest of the world.

Like Mother Teresa, Padre Pio was the real thing. There was nothing pretentious or false about the Franciscan Conventual priest who bore the Stigmata in imitation of the Holy Wounds of Jesus. Using modern parlance, Padre Pio "walked the talk." The same exemplary Christian life he encouraged others to embrace he himself lived.

As the Universal Church commemorates his obligatory liturgical Memorial on September 23, she gladly praises the Lord Who gives the stirring example and lasting legacy of Padre Pio to His sons and daughters.

The quotations of Saint Pio are legion and edifying. Each in itself is matter for reflection and impetus for growth in closer conformity to the Risen Lord Jesus. Here is only a taste of the vast array of "Pioisms."

"You must speak to Jesus also with the heart, besides the lips; indeed, in certain cases you must speak to Him only with the heart."

"Suffering is a gift of God. Blessed is he who knows how to take advantage of it."

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"When the Lord will call me, I will say to Him: 'Lord, I will remain at the Gate of Paradise. I will enter there when I see the last of my spiritual children enter.'"

"With what care she (Mary) accompanied me to the Altar this morning! It seemed to me as though she had nothing to think about other than me, filling my heart completely with saintly affections."

"May your soul always be the Temple of the Holy Spirit."

"I would desire to ask you in the Lord to lay down, as much as possible, every fear and to have confidence, faith, love."

"I should like to have a voice strong enough to invite the sinners of the whole world to love Our Lady!"

"I exhort you, through the meekness of Jesus, to have your eyes fixed on Him Who guides you, and on your heavenly homeland, to which He will lead you."

"The world would be better off without the sun than without the Holy Mass."

"The Heart of our Divine Master has no more amiable law than that of sweetness, humility, charity. Often place your confidence in Divine Providence and be assured that sooner Heaven and earth shall pass away than that the Lord neglect to protect you."

"Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today."

"Do not worry over things that generate preoccupation, derangement and anxiety. One thing only is necessary: to lift up your spirit and love God."

"My past, O Lord, to Your Mercy; my present, to Your Love; my future, to Your Providence."

"Crosses are the necklaces of the Spouse and I am jealous of them. My sufferings are pleasant. I only suffer when I don't suffer."

"Remember that it is not a feeling of guilt that constitutes sin but the consent to sin."

"Temptations, discouragement and unrest are the wares offered by the enemy. Remember this: if the Devil makes noise it is a sign that he is still outside and not yet within. That which must terrify us is his peace and concord with the human soul."

"To doubt is the greatest insult to Divinity."

"Let us always think of Heaven."

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us!

_____________________________

Sources

"Padre Pio of Pietrelcina: Letters, Volume I. Correspondence With His Spiritual Directors (1910-1922)." Edited by Melchiorre of Pobladura and Alessandro of Ripabottoni. English version edited by Father Gererdo Di Flumerti, O.F.M. Cap. (San Giovanni Rotondo [Foggia], Italy: Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Friary, 1985).