From Pietrelcina to San Giovanni Rotondo, looking for and praying to Saint Pio who simply remains Padre Pio in the hearts of the faithful. A saint much loved and known throughout the world for his miracles, for the mysticism that his life has expressed and given to those who have had the good fortune to know him. And also to those who entrusted themselves to him through prayer, asking for graces and intercessions. The places of the earthly existence of the Capuchin friar tie Campania and Campania together Puglia in a unicum of faith and spirituality.
Saint Pio who remains Padre Pio for everyone
Francesco Forgione, who later became Padre Pio, was born in Pietrelcina on 25 May 1887 from a very poor family. At the age of 15 he began his novitiate within the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor and became Fra 'Pio. He received his priestly ordination in the cathedral of Benevento on 10 August 1910. Precisely in this period the provisional stigmata appeared on his hands. Six years later, in February 1916 he arrives in Foggia where he stayed for a few months in the convent of Sant'Anna. On the evening of July 28 he arrives for the first time in San Giovanni Rotondo, in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
In the following days he wrote to his provincial father asking to be able to stay a few more days in the town of Foggia. In reality he will remain there forever: the old convent and the ancient church will be the places where his life of holiness will be manifested. Places of faith that still today preserve memories and recall emblematic episodes of the holy friar. The Church celebrates the liturgical memory of Saint Pio on September 23, the day of his earthly end in 1968. But, for millions of believers all over the world, Padre Pio still lives thanks to his miracles, to the stigmata that have wounded his hands for all his life, to the scent of flowers that announced his presence, to inexplicable healings, to prophecies. A figure of man and religious who has always attracted and fascinated even non-believers.
Pietrelcina
Pietrelcina is the small town in the Benevento area where Francesco Forgione was born at number 27 in vico Storto Valle. The house of the saint, canonized by John Paul II on June 16, 2002 is an incessant pilgrimage destination. As are the church where little Francesco received baptism and also Santa Maria degli Angeli, the church where the humble friar took the religious name of Pio. Also in Pietrelcina there is also a museum dedicated to the saint with objects that belonged to him. Finally, in the nearby Piana Romana, there is the chapel where the young Pius received the stigmata on his hands for the first time.
San Giovanni Rotondo
The places of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo are undoubtedly the old convent and the ancient church which, throughout the year, receive the visit of millions of faithful who come from all over the world. The complex consists of three main buildings which are the convent, the old church and the new church. The two places of worship are both dedicated to Santa Maria delle Grazie. Given the ever-increasing number of visitors, over the years it was decided to build an even larger sanctuary.
In fact, a few tens of meters away from the ancient convent and the two churches was born the new sanctuary designed by the well-known architect Renzo Piano. The new church, consecrated on July 2004, XNUMX, can hold about seven thousand people. The structure resembles that of the nautilus; the circular plan looks like the spiral of Archimedes with a fulcrum that is the altar in the center of the liturgical hall. In front of the new sanctuary, a large churchyard has also been built which can hold several thousand people on the occasion of solemn celebrations and special occasions.
Home relief of suffering, the hospital wanted by Padre Pio
In San Giovanni Rotondo there is another important building that remembers Padre Pio and it is the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the large hospital wanted by the saint and inaugurated by himself on May 5, 1956. The Hospital of San Pio da Pietrelcina can have about 900 beds divided into 30 wards. The facility boasts 50 clinical specialties with thousands of diagnostic and therapeutic services. Over the years the hospital has also become a scientific institute authorized for research. A great work conceived by the humble friar who has ensured and continues to guarantee cutting-edge care to millions of sick people.
