Today's canonisation of St Pio of Pietrelcina

Pope John Paul II will today canonise Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, the Italian Capuchin monk (1887-1968) whose ascetic life, a life of suffering especially after he received the stigmata of Christ's Crucifixion in 1918, inspired great devotion not only in his native Italy but also around the world.

He undertook a number of works, the most important being the building of the hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza in San Giovanni Rotondo, thanks to generous donations by devotees, which was inaugurated in 1956.

A number of miracles and hundreds of graces have been wrought through the intercession of Padre Pio. This led to Pope John Paul II (whose election as Pope and eventual assassination attempt Padre Pio had foretold) proclaiming the monk of Pietrelcina Blessed on May 2, 1999.

Last February it was announced that Padre Pio would be canonised today at St Peter's. The canonisation ceremony on St Peter's Square in Rome is being attended by thousands of pilgrims from all over the world, including about 600 from Malta.

This contribution was submitted by a devotee of Padre Pio:

Innumerable speeches and sermons have been delivered to praise the stigmatised Capuchin friar, but still, devotees are thirsty and eager for more. Although we know, we shall hear praise for the newly elected St Pio by the Pope at St Peter's today; still, the greatest praise was by our Lord Himself to his beloved Franciscan son, through the mystic Lucia Fiorentino. Lucia was born on June 20, 1889 in San Giovanni Rotondo.

At seven years of age, when she received her First Holy Communion she started showing signs of profound spirituality. At a tender age, she became a Franciscan tertiary. The frequent reception of the Holy Sacrament made her intensely spiritual, blessed by many graces and charisms.

Through obedience from the spiritual director, she published this statement about St Pio of Pietrelcina: "Once when I was praying for the conversion of sinners, I saw this vision - a big tree exactly in front of the Capuchin convent in San Giovanni Rotondo, and a voice saying this a symbol of a soul who is far away but shall come up here. He shall do wonderful works in this village. He shall be strongly implanted like this tree and the souls who shall ascend the gorgeous mountain from here and far away shall be free from evil if they adhere to this tree."

Lucia continues: "I used to ponder and wonder who this excellently holy friar will be. Because one of the Capuchin friars I knew was away temporarily, I thought it was him, as he was a very holy monk. But later on I left it in God's hands. It was exactly seven years later, on August 19, 1923 that this vision was explained to Lucia as registered in her diary: "Jesus asked me: 'Do you still remember what I had forecast to you in 1906?' - 'Yes I remember', I answered Jesus, 'You had told me a religious friar shall come from far away and resembles a big tree planted opposite the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie; such a big tree with strong stout roots. Those who shelter under its green leaves with faith in their hearts shall reap true salvation. On the other hand, Jesus shall punish those who do not recognise and ridicule this tree.'

"Jesus explained to me that the tree represented Padre Pio who came and was implanted for 52 years in the uppermost Gargano Capuchin Convent."

St Pio himself confirmed Lucia Fiorentino's experience. When the Church restricted Padre Pio from celebrating Mass and from hearing confession, Lucia Fiorentino used to offer herself as a victim of the renewed freedom of the dear spiritual father.

Jesus again said: "Those who abide by and practise his work, and good men, still persevere in this world and above all in eternal life, I shall deliver them from the snares of the devil and keep them near my heart."

On this solemn, much awaited Sunday, may we remain under our spiritual father's branches to gain Heaven. In fact, prayer groups are now branched out all over the world, all tiny sparks which form a huge flame of sweet-incensed prayer ascending to Heaven. Let us follow his devotion to the Holy Eucharist, Our Lady, St, Joseph, St Michael the Archangel and the holy souls in Purgatory.

St Pio pray for us!

Special issue of Dawl Frangiskan

The June issue of Dawl Frangiskan, published by the Secretariat of the Maltese Capuchin Mission contains a special eight-page supplement dedicated to Padre Pio, besides features connected with this month, including First Holy Communion, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the World Day of Youth, and information about Capuuchin missions in Africa and Cuba, besides other news and articles.

Subscriptions to Dawl Frangiskan cost Lm4 a year. Those interested in receiving the magazine by post every month should write to the Mission Secretariat, Capuchin Convent, Floriana VLT 14 or phone 2123-3874; 2122-5525 or 2123-4949.