The “Padre Pio” Library, intensely wished for by Fr Gerardo Di Flumeri, was opened in May 1990.
It has recently been re-modernised with the addition of new furniture and new rooms inaugurated on 9th June 2004 by His Eminence Mgr. Mauro Piacenza, president of the Papal Commission for the Arts of the Church and Mr Filippo Anastasi, vice director of “Giornale Radio Rai” (Rai Radio news).
It is important to highlight the merits of Fr Francesco Colacelli, who decided to start a series of works to make the complex more comfortable and functional. The initiative to create a Christian library in San Giovanni Rotondo near the Our Lady of Grace Friary and the Home for the Relief of Suffering Hospital has been greatly appreciated.
The “Padre Pio” library is numbered among the National Franciscan Libraries, member of the ABEI (Italian Ecclesiastical Librarians Association) and is considered highly by the Ministry for Arts and Culture.
It is specialised in:
- Padre Pio’s life and spirituality. The need and request for it came from the people. The pilgrims and tourists needed a Library where they could deepen their Knowledge of the life and spirituality of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
- The spirituality and history of Franciscanism, which Padre Pio belongs to.
- The Spirituality and history of the church – the history of San Giovanni Rotondo, of Puglia Region, of Italy and of other Nations, since people from all over the world come here.
In the Library one can find nearly all the publications written on the friar with the stigmata since 1919 to the present day (newspaper and magazine cuttings, booklets, books, in brief publications covering the last ninety years). This is a very precious collection that will be useful especially for students who wish to write their degree thesis on subjects regarding the figure and personality of saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
At the moment in the library there are 30.000 filed books, 5000 booklets, 2500 manuscripts, 250 geographical maps, 30 magazines, 1000 photographs, 100 slides, 200 records, 100 cassettes and 100 videocassettes. We will be soon be filing all material on IT supports. At the entrance of the library, that once used to be Pia Forgione in Pennelli, Padre Pio’s niece’s house, the roomin which Saint Pio stopped to visit his sick brother, Michele, on his way back from town, after voting for local elections, has been recreated.
There is also a spacious gallery displaying the pictures dedicated to Saint Pio painted by the well known artist Antonio Ciccone. In the Encyclopaedias room the original sketch of the monument of Saint Pio by the sculptor Pericle Fazzini, erected in the town square can be found.
Address:
Indirizzo
Sala Di Lettura “Padre Pio”
Viale Cappuccini, 93
71013 San Giovanni Rotondo FG
Tel. 0882 – 418396
Fax 0882 – 418397
E-mail saladilettura AT vocedipadrepio.com
Opening hours
Morning:
From Monday to Friday 08,00 – 14,00
Saturday 08,00 – 13,00
Afternoon:
Tuesday and Thursday 16,30 – 18,30