San Marco la Catola

This Apulian town, with its restored medieval Ducal Palace, is situated in the Daunian mountains, in a position dominating the valley of the Catola, a right tributary of the Fortore river. An oil canvas depicting Saint Mark is kept in the ancient chapel of San Marco. Not very far away are the woods of San Cristoforo, a naturalistic area provided with facilities.

Already in the distant past, not far from the village, there was a simple chapel dedicated to San Lorenzo Martire, the first home of the "Madonna di Giosafat". When the Virgin Mary chose a more dignified home in an Abbey, Marquee Giambattista Pignatelli, Lord of the village, exerted his power of patronage on the church to provide the holy location with greater prestige and dignity by calling the Capuchin friars to the village. He erected a convent for them (1585), which was shut down in 1811, reopened in 1818, then abandoned again in 1867 following the civil law of suppression.

The Capuchins returned in 1901 upon strong insistence on the part of the villagers. Padre Pio resided in this convent more than once. Having completed his junior high studies and having been promoted to the philosophy course, after mid-October in 1905, he left Sant'Elia together with his mates to go to San Marco la Catola. There he remained until April of the following year. In this new residence he met Padre Benedetto of San Marco in Lamis, who became his spiritual guide until 1922. Brother Pio's behavior was always exemplary, one full of charity. A peer of his wrote: "As soon as the choir bell rang, Brother Pio would urge us to make haste. During recreation, the other mates would go, unauthorized, to pick and eat fresh broad beans from the vegetable garden. They would offer some also to Brother Pio who always turned them down, but so gracefully as to inspire admiration and lovingness." Padre Pio returned to San Marco la Catola as a priest in 1918. He stayed there for one month to converse with his spiritual guide Padre Benedetto and dissolve the doubts that were tormenting him and concerning the guidance of souls.

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