Saint Padre Pio is Still Your Good Samaritan

Saint Padre Pio, the famous stigmatist and miracle worker of the twentieth century, still is used in our own century by God to work miracles, to save souls, to bring peace and joy and healing to your life, my dear friend. While on earth, one of Padre Pio's assistants was Father Alessio Parente, OFM, Capuchin. Fr. Alessio acted as Padre Pio's "bodyguard," helper, and close friend when our Padre was in his late-70s and also in his final years, when he was so crippled with the constant pain and bleeding of the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ Crucified, which he had bore in his hands, feet, and side for fifty years. Fr. Alessio, with whom I corresponded, said:

"So close was Padre Pio to Jesus, that he obtained many, many graces from Him. And as a result of this, we, his spiritual children and devotees, have been showered with blessings. It cannot be denied that Padre Pio continues to intercede for his children still on earth because, as he himself said, 'I will do more for you when I am in Heaven.'

"However," continued Fr. Alessio, whom I personally consider to be a Saint, "our beloved Good Samaritan [that is what Fr. Alessio called St. Padre Pio] wants us to go beyond him; he wants us to remember that he is a docile instrument in the hands of Jesus. It is Jesus who performs miracles and grants graces. Padre Pio lifts us from the side of the road. As a good samaritan he pays the innkeeper the price of our recovery with his own suffering. And Jesus then takes care of us and sees that we are well spiritually and physically.

"Our Good Samaritan's whole life," said Fr. Alessio, "was devoted to bringing souls closer to Jesus. How often he would become extremely annoyed when people came to thank him for having granted them some grace or other. He often answered irritably, 'There is only one Jesus on earth!' or 'You do not know what you are saying!' Naturlly, he understood the goodwill of the people concerned, but he simply did not like them to forget the origin of all that is good: Jesus.

"So if we dearly love our beloved Padre Pio for interceding to the Lord for us," said Fr. Alessio, "how much more, then, must we love Jesus who actually grants us so many wonderful graces and blessings. And by the same token, how much will we love prayer, and particularly the rosary, which was recited by the venerable Padre throughout every day of his life." (from pages 24 and 25 in Padre Pio Our Good Samaritan, by Fr. Alessio Parente, OFM, Capuchin)

So, my dear friend, go to Saint Padre Pio today and ask him to intercede for you and for your loved ones and friends. He will be glad to do that for you. And if you happen to smell the scent of roses or lillies or violets shortly thereafter, it is Saint Padre Pio letting you know that he has heard your prayer and is at work on your behalf. When your prayers are answered your heart will be full of gratitude and love for Padre Pio, yes, but above all for Jesus.

Have a great day!