Padre Pio was a friar, priest, stigmatist, and mystic. He is the patron saint of civil defense volunteers, adolescents, and stress-relief. Here are 5 interesting facts about him.
1. Padre Pio was known to have stigmata.
Padre Pio received the stigmata during prayer in church. The stigmata stayed with him for the rest of his life. He was given the same wounds on his hands as Jesus as a wound on his shoulder which corresponded to the one Jesus had from carrying the cross.
2. Padre Pio was the first stigmatized priest of the Catholic church
The five wounds of our lord’s passion appeared on his body on September 20, 1918, making him the very first stigmatized priest of the Catholic Church.
3. Padre Pio’s wounds had a distinct scent.
The blood from Padre Pio’s wounds was said to smell like flowers. This is known as the “odor of sanctity” which commonly emanates from the bodies of saints, especially from their wounds. Padre Pio was examined by several doctors who left detailed reports in 1918. Investigation showed that he used absolutely no fragrances or anything that could produce these odors.
4. Padre Pio had the gift of bilocation
Bilocation is the presence of a person in two different places at one time.
5. He showed spiritual gifts early on in his life
As a child, he was able to see and communicate with Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Joseph. He valued going to mass and once stated, “If we only knew how God regards it, we would risk our lives to be present at a single Mass.”
Sources:
- Main Image: Wiki
