by bro Francesco Scaramuzzi, OFM Cap.
The year 2018, just begun, will all be dedicated to the celebration of two important events in the life of Saint Pio: the 100th anniversary of his stigmata and the 50th anniversary of his death.
With regards to the first, it is Saint Pio himself who describes the event in a letter sent to Father Benedetto of San Marco in Lamis, his spiritual director, on 22 October 1918: “On the morning of the 20th of last month, in the choir, after I had celebrated Mass I yielded to a drowsiness similar to a sweet sleep. All the internal and external senses and even the very faculties of my soul were immersed in indescribable stillness. Absolute silence surrounded and invaded me. I was suddenly filled with great peace and abandonment which effaced everything else and caused a lull in the turmoil. All this happened in a flash. And while this was taking place I saw before me a mysterious person similar to the one I had seen on the evening of 5 August. The only difference was that his hands and feet and side were dripping blood. This sight terrified me and what I felt at that moment is indescribable. I thought I should die and really would have died if the Lord had not intervened and strengthened my heart which was about to burst out of my chest. The vision disappeared and I became aware that my hands, feet and side were dripping blood. Imagine the agony I experienced and continue to experience almost every day. The heart wound bleeds continually, especially from Thursday evening until Saturday. Dear Father, I am dying of pain because of the wounds and the resulting embarrassment I feel deep in my soul. I am afraid I shall bleed to death if the Lord does not hear my heartfelt supplication to relieve me of this condition. Will Jesus who is so good, grant me this grace? Will He at least free me from the embarrassment caused by the outward signs?” (Letters I, p. 1218-1219).
As for the second event, Padre Pio died at 2:30 on 23 September 1968, at the age of 81 years, surrounded by his fellow friars and after having made a last confession.
These events deserve to be celebrated because they recall in a powerful way the very foundation of the whole of the Saint of Pietrelcina’s life, that is Jesus Christ. In the first Christ makes Himself visibly present in Padre Pio’s body and a participant in His sacrifice, while in the second it is the Risen Lord who is the beginning and end of his whole earthly existence. These two events fundamentally are the loftiest celebration of Saint Pio’s faith in Jesus Christ, in life and in death.
For this, the Capuchin Friars of the Sant’Angelo and Padre Pio Foggia Province, will celebrate in a special way the two commemorations with a series of events that will officially begin on 22 January 2018, at Morcone, with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration. There will be many cultural, liturgical and festive events. We will give you news with in depth comments, with special articles in our journal. To the contribution of the Voice of Padre Pio will be added also the precious contribution of PadrePio Tv, with programmes giving information, news, and reflections.
It remains only for me to give my heartfelt wishes to all the devotees and spiritual children of Saint Pio, that they may live with great fervour this year of 2018, in which we will celebrate the Risen and Living Lord Jesus in Saint Pio’s commemorative events.