Today, my dear friend, whom I love and whom God loves, I offer you Saint Paul’s words of comfort: “For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the Archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
Why do I speak of the dead today? It is because I feel that you might be fearful of death, fearful of the fate of someone you love who is dying, fearful of the outcome of a serious health problem you or a loved one is experiencing, fearful of what is to become of you and your family in this violent world in which we live. If so, take heart; there truly is a Heaven where you and your loved ones will spend eternity with God in joy and peace and love. Never fear. Saint Padre Pio, the famous stigmatist who bore the five ever-bleeding wounds of Christ for fifty long years in his hands, feet, and side, was visited countless times by souls who had gone to Heaven or Purgatory—the “waiting room of Heaven,” the place where we get gently “showered” by God’s grace so that any sins left on our souls are lovingly and tenderly washed away before we are whisked into Heaven to forever be in God’s glorious Presence and the presence of all those we love who have gone before us. Saint Padre Pio’s experiences with those who had died are to be found in the hundreds of books written about him. (Many of those books were written by me, by the way, by God’s grace and the intercession of St. Padre Pio and Our Lady and my Holy Guardian Angel.) Madame Katharina Tangari, in her book Stories of Padre Pio, (TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.), says that Saint Padre Pio’s life and mystical experiences with the “dead-in-Christ” should encourage us to “walk simply and naturally in the domain of the supernatural.” Madame Katharina, who visited Padre Pio more than seventy times, said that whatever St. Padre Pio does, “is rooted in Jesus Christ, which is why it becomes so efficacious [effective]. Even from afar, he can become for us God’s supernatural instrument, and as such he guides us, so that from time to time, we too may become little instruments of God’s providence and mercy.”
Even though he is now in Heaven, in that “afar” Madame Katharina just mentioned, Saint Padre Pio can do more for you today than he could while on Earth. What are your fears and concerns? What illnesses do you carry? What troubles are bombarding you and your loved ones? Look up. Padre Pio is smiling at you, waiting for you to ask him to intercede with Jesus Christ for you. Tell Padre Pio your troubles and ask him to help you. He will certainly do whatever he can for you. If you happen to smell a sweet aroma anytime soon, and the aroma seems to have no natural origin, know that it is a sign from Padre Pio that he has heard your prayer and is doing what he can for you. He is now closer than ever to the Source of Life, the Ruler of All Nature, Jesus Christ Himself.
I love you, dear friend. “Pray, hope, and don’t worry,” as St. Padre Pio always said.
Please let me end with a blessing just for you from Padre Pio’s Letters, Volume 2: “May Jesus be in your heart; may He bless you, console you, and smile upon you! Amen.”
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Your Prayers are Perfume for God
Hello, my dear friend. Perhaps you’ve been feeling burdened? You can give those burdens to Jesus, you know, but don’t take my word for it. Let me share Saint Padre Pio’s words with you, his encouragement, because the words of Padre Pio, the famous stigmatist-priest, never go out of date; they can always lift up your spirit and speak to your heart and soul. Like the precious eternal all-powerful words of Holy Scripture, the words of all of God’s holy Saints echo His truths to us. But before I share with you some of Saint Pio’s words let me begin with The Truth, the Word of God:
“…in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of
facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all
things in Him who strengthens me. …my God will supply every
need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
(Philippians 4:12-19)
Now, for Saint Padre Pio’s words for you today: “I tell you,” says Padre Pio, “Let not your heart be troubled, as Jesus Himself said. Yes, do not let your heart be troubled in the hour of trial, because Jesus has promised His real assistance to those who follow Him. Therefore, remember Jesus when you are in the hour of trial. Turn to Him and you will always obtain relief, gaining and singing external victory.” (Saint Padre Pio’s Letters, Volume 3)
Let me end with one more bit of encouragement for you, which I just found in my friend Dorothy Gaudiose’s book, Prophet of the People, on page 165. Dorothy was my close friend and worked for Padre Pio for three years at his monastery in Italy. Here are a few of his words that Dorothy recorded in her book: “Prayer must be insistent inasmuch as insistence denotes faith. The prayers of the Saints in Heaven and of just souls on earth are perfume that will never fade.”
There—your prayers, my dear friend in Christ, are perfume for our dear Lord Jesus. I can smell the sweet aroma rising as you lift your heart to Him. He loves you, and so do I. Amen!
“…in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of
facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all
things in Him who strengthens me. …my God will supply every
need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
(Philippians 4:12-19)
Now, for Saint Padre Pio’s words for you today: “I tell you,” says Padre Pio, “Let not your heart be troubled, as Jesus Himself said. Yes, do not let your heart be troubled in the hour of trial, because Jesus has promised His real assistance to those who follow Him. Therefore, remember Jesus when you are in the hour of trial. Turn to Him and you will always obtain relief, gaining and singing external victory.” (Saint Padre Pio’s Letters, Volume 3)
Let me end with one more bit of encouragement for you, which I just found in my friend Dorothy Gaudiose’s book, Prophet of the People, on page 165. Dorothy was my close friend and worked for Padre Pio for three years at his monastery in Italy. Here are a few of his words that Dorothy recorded in her book: “Prayer must be insistent inasmuch as insistence denotes faith. The prayers of the Saints in Heaven and of just souls on earth are perfume that will never fade.”
There—your prayers, my dear friend in Christ, are perfume for our dear Lord Jesus. I can smell the sweet aroma rising as you lift your heart to Him. He loves you, and so do I. Amen!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Peace and Joy in This Life and the Next
Today you might be interested in hearing about Saint Padre Pio’s gift of prophecy. God gave him the ability to sometimes foresee future events. For example, Padre Pio would often tell a couple what the sex of their unborn child would be or when a certain individual was going to be healed of a specific affliction. Sometimes, if a person really wanted to know when he was going to die, Saint Padre Pio—with his usual calm and faith and clarity—would share the day or week of death with that individual. One day after Mass at his mountain monastery in Southern Italy, Padre Pio turned to one of the policeman who had been assigned as a bodyguard for him and said, smiling as usual, “I’d like to see you in my cell after I finish here and after I make my thanksgiving.”
Happy that the famous stigmatist-priest wanted to see him personally, the policeman smiled and waited with joyful expectation outside St. Padre Pio’s cell.
Soon Padre Pio arrived and invited the policeman into his cell where he gently informed him, “Within a week you will go home to visit your parents and there you shall die.”
Imagine the policeman’s shock at Padre Pio’s words. “But I’m well and never felt better,” said the policeman.
“My son,” said Padre Pio to him, “don’t worry. What is this life? A pilgrimage. We’re all on a pilgrimage, my son. Ask for a leave of absence and go home to take care of your affairs. Tomorrow you’re going to die. Your parents love you and need to know.”
After Padre Pio spoke to the policeman’s superiors for him, the young policeman received a leave of absence. When the policeman arrived home, he told his parents, “Padre Pio told me I’m going to die, so I came to say goodbye to you and tell you how much I love you.” A week later he died.
Why did I share such a sad event with you today? I wanted you to know that if you have recently experienced the loss of a close friend or relative, do not fear. That person is with the Lord. And to prove to you that what I say is true, let me please quote Saint Padre Pio’s Letters, Volume 3, pages 729-30:
“Live tranquilly, always…. This present life is given to us in order to acquire the eternal, and due to a lack of reflection, we base our affections on that which pertains to this world through which we are passing, so that when we have to leave it we are frightened and agitated. Believe me, in order to live happily while on pilgrimage, we must keep before our eyes the hope of arriving at our Homeland where we will stay for eternity. And in the meantime we should believe this firmly, because given that it is God who calls us to Himself, He watches how we make our way to Him, and He will never permit anything to happen to us that is not for our greater good. He knows what we are, and He will extend His paternal hand to us while we are going through rough stretches, so that nothing will prevent us from running quickly to Him. … He has defended you up to now. Simply hold on tightly to the hand of His divine Providence, and He will help you in all events….”
May Saint Padre Pio, the miracle worker and stigmatist, intercede with Jesus to obtain for you, my dear friend, the peace and healing and joy you need in this life. And may Padre Pio intercede with Jesus also to obtain for you joy and peace and health in the next life where you will be forever with those you love who have gone before you. Amen!
Happy that the famous stigmatist-priest wanted to see him personally, the policeman smiled and waited with joyful expectation outside St. Padre Pio’s cell.
Soon Padre Pio arrived and invited the policeman into his cell where he gently informed him, “Within a week you will go home to visit your parents and there you shall die.”
Imagine the policeman’s shock at Padre Pio’s words. “But I’m well and never felt better,” said the policeman.
“My son,” said Padre Pio to him, “don’t worry. What is this life? A pilgrimage. We’re all on a pilgrimage, my son. Ask for a leave of absence and go home to take care of your affairs. Tomorrow you’re going to die. Your parents love you and need to know.”
After Padre Pio spoke to the policeman’s superiors for him, the young policeman received a leave of absence. When the policeman arrived home, he told his parents, “Padre Pio told me I’m going to die, so I came to say goodbye to you and tell you how much I love you.” A week later he died.
Why did I share such a sad event with you today? I wanted you to know that if you have recently experienced the loss of a close friend or relative, do not fear. That person is with the Lord. And to prove to you that what I say is true, let me please quote Saint Padre Pio’s Letters, Volume 3, pages 729-30:
“Live tranquilly, always…. This present life is given to us in order to acquire the eternal, and due to a lack of reflection, we base our affections on that which pertains to this world through which we are passing, so that when we have to leave it we are frightened and agitated. Believe me, in order to live happily while on pilgrimage, we must keep before our eyes the hope of arriving at our Homeland where we will stay for eternity. And in the meantime we should believe this firmly, because given that it is God who calls us to Himself, He watches how we make our way to Him, and He will never permit anything to happen to us that is not for our greater good. He knows what we are, and He will extend His paternal hand to us while we are going through rough stretches, so that nothing will prevent us from running quickly to Him. … He has defended you up to now. Simply hold on tightly to the hand of His divine Providence, and He will help you in all events….”
May Saint Padre Pio, the miracle worker and stigmatist, intercede with Jesus to obtain for you, my dear friend, the peace and healing and joy you need in this life. And may Padre Pio intercede with Jesus also to obtain for you joy and peace and health in the next life where you will be forever with those you love who have gone before you. Amen!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Saint Padre Pio Tells You: "Jesus Has EXcused You!"
Perhaps today you would enjoy hearing Saint Padre Pio’s own words in answer to specific questions people posed to him?
For example, one day a friend asked Padre Pio, “The strong woman God talks about in the Bible, what is that woman like?” Saint Padre Pio answered, “She is a woman who fears God, who even at the cost of sacrifice does God’s will.”
Another time a person asked Padre Pio, “Father Pio, is it okay to criticize a man who blasphemes?” Saint Pio answered, “It is very holy and very right.”
Someone wanted to know why Jesus said to His disciples that He would go and prepare a place for them in Heaven. Saint Pio answered, “Because this is what He did after the Resurrection.” The person then asked, “Did He do this for us too?” And Padre Pio answered, “For everybody!”
One friend asked Padre Pio, “I’m worried that Jesus, because of my sins, has accused me before His Father. Has He accused me, Padre Pio?” And what did Padre Pio reply? He said, with a tender smile, “No, He has EXcused you, instead!”
And may I end today, my dear friend in Christ, with a verse from the Bible that backs up totally what Saint Padre Pio just said? Here it is: “If we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Amen, and thank You, Jesus, my Lord and my God.
For example, one day a friend asked Padre Pio, “The strong woman God talks about in the Bible, what is that woman like?” Saint Padre Pio answered, “She is a woman who fears God, who even at the cost of sacrifice does God’s will.”
Another time a person asked Padre Pio, “Father Pio, is it okay to criticize a man who blasphemes?” Saint Pio answered, “It is very holy and very right.”
Someone wanted to know why Jesus said to His disciples that He would go and prepare a place for them in Heaven. Saint Pio answered, “Because this is what He did after the Resurrection.” The person then asked, “Did He do this for us too?” And Padre Pio answered, “For everybody!”
One friend asked Padre Pio, “I’m worried that Jesus, because of my sins, has accused me before His Father. Has He accused me, Padre Pio?” And what did Padre Pio reply? He said, with a tender smile, “No, He has EXcused you, instead!”
And may I end today, my dear friend in Christ, with a verse from the Bible that backs up totally what Saint Padre Pio just said? Here it is: “If we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Amen, and thank You, Jesus, my Lord and my God.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Little-Known Facts about St. Padre Pio and You
Today, let me please share with you a little about Saint Padre Pio, the famous stigmatist, priest, healer, prophet, lover of God. In addition to the five ever-bleeding wounds of Christ Crucified (the stigmata) which Padre Pio bore in his hands, feet, and side for fifty long years, he also was given, by God, other spiritual gifts such as bilocation (the ability to be in more than one place at one time) and the gift of healing. Through the latter gift, Christ healed those who sought Padre Pio’s help, whether the healing was physical or, most importantly, spiritual. Today I’ll share with you some little-known facts about Padre Pio.
You may already know that Padre Pio was born in a little town in southern Italy called Pietrelcina, but did you know that the name was originally “Pretapucina,” which meant “stone hen”? The name came from the stone found in the foundation of the baronial chapel at Pietrelcina on which was chiseled a hen and her chicks.
Beginning at age five, Padre Pio began to have visions of the Mother of God, and you may already know that fact, but do you know that, at that young age, Padre Pio, little Francesco Forgione, as he was then known, also had visions of Jesus and the Devil? It seems, even at that tender age, God was drawing Francesco to Himself in many special ways.
Yes, Jesus, Our Lady, and even the Devil began to appear to St. Padre Pio at age five, and continued to appear to him throughout his eighty-some years, and perhaps you even knew all of that, but did you know that the Sacred Heart of Jesus appeared to Padre Pio when he was only five? Yes, in the church now called St. Anne in Pietrelcina, the Sacred Heart of Jesus appeared to Padre Pio at the main altar of the church and beckoned to him, begging him to come to the altar. There, Jesus put His Hand on little Francesco Forgione’s head, showing His approval of the fact that Francesco had recently consecrated himself to Jesus.
Now, do not fear, dear friend in Christ! If you consecrate yourself to Jesus, chances are slim-to-none that the Devil will appear to you. But Jesus Himself will “appear” to you in your heart. He will draw you close to His own Heart where you will find love, healing, and rest. Please go to Him now and abandon yourself totally in Him. He will never fail you. That is a promise. In fact, here are St. Padre Pio’s own words to you from his Letters, Volume Two, pages 69–70: “Oh! Trust in Him and do not be afraid, for you have no reason whatever to fear. Our most tender Savior has not forsaken you….”
And our most tender Savior will never forsake you!
You may already know that Padre Pio was born in a little town in southern Italy called Pietrelcina, but did you know that the name was originally “Pretapucina,” which meant “stone hen”? The name came from the stone found in the foundation of the baronial chapel at Pietrelcina on which was chiseled a hen and her chicks.
Beginning at age five, Padre Pio began to have visions of the Mother of God, and you may already know that fact, but do you know that, at that young age, Padre Pio, little Francesco Forgione, as he was then known, also had visions of Jesus and the Devil? It seems, even at that tender age, God was drawing Francesco to Himself in many special ways.
Yes, Jesus, Our Lady, and even the Devil began to appear to St. Padre Pio at age five, and continued to appear to him throughout his eighty-some years, and perhaps you even knew all of that, but did you know that the Sacred Heart of Jesus appeared to Padre Pio when he was only five? Yes, in the church now called St. Anne in Pietrelcina, the Sacred Heart of Jesus appeared to Padre Pio at the main altar of the church and beckoned to him, begging him to come to the altar. There, Jesus put His Hand on little Francesco Forgione’s head, showing His approval of the fact that Francesco had recently consecrated himself to Jesus.
Now, do not fear, dear friend in Christ! If you consecrate yourself to Jesus, chances are slim-to-none that the Devil will appear to you. But Jesus Himself will “appear” to you in your heart. He will draw you close to His own Heart where you will find love, healing, and rest. Please go to Him now and abandon yourself totally in Him. He will never fail you. That is a promise. In fact, here are St. Padre Pio’s own words to you from his Letters, Volume Two, pages 69–70: “Oh! Trust in Him and do not be afraid, for you have no reason whatever to fear. Our most tender Savior has not forsaken you….”
And our most tender Savior will never forsake you!
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