It was a cool September evening and I found myself in another state, six months pregnant and feeling very unwell. I can vividly remember looking forward to traveling for this Blessed is She Revival night in Georgia. Once we checked into our hotel, I realized that I was coming down with something. Having to opt out of the group plans the following morning, I was curled up in bed hoping that I’d muster up enough energy to be present for the prayer gathering later that evening.
As we arrived to set up for the event, one of the members of our team showed up with medicine, a light snack, and gatorade for me. In hopes of feeling better, I took the medicine, ate the snack, and found myself whispering with what little energy I had left, “Padre Pio, this is your spiritual daughter-in-law; please pray for me. I want to feel better.”
It was his feast day that day, and while my husband and son’s patron Saint was familiar enough for me to call on his intercession, I never really had any relationship with him. Wouldn’t you know it, I immediately felt his intercession working for me! It’s as if as soon as I said this prayer and took some medicine, my energy increased and I was able to participate that night in the event.
Ever since that trip, his images and relics in my home feel closer than before. All it took was calling on him to intercede for me in hopes that he would help me out the way I’ve seen him help others in my life.
Padre’s Spiritual Children (and Extended Family)
There are countless resources available that one can look into regarding the practice of becoming a “spiritual child” of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. I’ve heard secondhand accounts of what this was like from multiple people. My husband, in particular, has a strong devotion to Padre Pio and we had even chosen his feast day for the Baptism of our first son. The amount of stories I can share of Pio’s intercession showing up in extraordinary ways for my husband . . . that’s a conversation for another day. My husband considers himself a “spiritual child” of Padre Pio. I prefer to consider myself more of a “spiritual daughter-in-law”—and I think Padre Pio would be okay with that, too.
Padre Pio was born in Italy on May 25, 1887. He was widely known for his love for those around him and for his powerful intercession for healings. He bore the wounds of Christ, “a painful stigmata that would come and go over a period of weeks,” which became “ permanent, and remain[ed] on his body for the next 50 years.” It is said that he could bilocate, sense the state of a person’s soul and perform other powerful works for those who came to him (source). He lived fully for the Lord, in all circumstances.
The Cross, Our Only Hope
Another great saint, Pope Saint John Paul II, led the efforts for Padre Pio’s canonization. During the homily for his canonization, John Paul II reminded the faithful that, “Throughout his life, [Padre Pio] always sought greater conformity with the Crucified, since he was very conscious of having been called to collaborate in a special way in the work of redemption. His holiness cannot be understood without this constant reference to the Cross” (source). To know Padre Pio was to know a man brave enough to encounter suffering as a way to offer sacrifice to God.
Why is this so crucial for the spiritual life? Because in suffering, we are united with Christ. When we join our suffering to His, our wounds become His wounds and we suffer with Him for the sake of sanctification. Padre Pio has been quoted as saying, “The most beautiful act of faith is the one made in darkness, in sacrifice, and with extreme effort” (source). Here, we begin to accept that faith is much more than good feelings and an easy-going life. We will face trials; we will face the darkness. Yet those things will not prevail.
Pray, Hope, Don’t Worry
Another thing we can learn from Padre Pio (and ask his intercession for) is increasing our trust in the Lord. How can we get to the point of trusting the Father so much that worry becomes a thing of the past? It sounds great, doesn’t it? To live a worry-free life. But how many of us actually believe that it is possible? We are naturally tempted to want to control and plan our lives, thinking that we know best and can remedy just about anything. Saint Pio modeled this for us and reminded us over and over that we need not worry. Let us turn to the Gospel of Matthew to be reminded of what true dependence on God looks like. Here, Jesus tells us more than once to not worry (see Matthew 5:25-34).
Does this mean we are called to live idle lives and let the Lord figure everything out for us? No! He equips and gives us gifts to participate in this life He has for us. Just like Padre Pio used his gifts for the glory of God, so must we be part of the mission of spreading the Gospel. Jesus is very clear in Scripture when He tells us that apart from Him, we “can do nothing” (John 15:5). He does not say He will figure everything out for us as long as we move out of the way. We are invited to abide in Him. In abiding, and only in abiding, can we do the things we’ve been created to do.
This is what prayer is: having a relationship with and abiding in the Lord. In doing so, we increase our faith and increase our trust. Then we are able to live as people of hope, with no fear of the future.
Waiting at the Gates
Sister, may we grow in our appreciation and friendships with the Saints who persevered in this life. Despite human faults, they knew the Lord and lived radically for Him. Saint Pio is quoted saying that he will wait at the gates for all of his spiritual children. May his intercession in your life bring you closer and closer to the heart of God. Get to know this great Saint, ask for him to pray for you daily, and be encouraged to put on Christ just like he did.
Happy Feast Day of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina!
Padre Pio, pray for us!
Stephanie Salinas is a wife and mama living in the West Valley of Arizona. A California native, she enjoys time with family rooting for the LA sports teams. She holds a Communications degree and her background is in parish and diocesan ministry. Her heart is in planning opportunities of encounter with Christ through Blessed is She events while also facilitating resources for the Hispanic community. Steph also runs a Young Adult Ministry with her husband, Chilo called The Well. Find out more about it here.
Stephanie Salinas es una esposa y madre que vive en el Valle Oeste de Arizona. Originalmente de California, disfruta del tiempo con su familia apoyando a los equipos deportivos de Los Ángeles. Tiene una licenciatura en Comunicaciones y su experiencia es en el ministerio parroquial y diocesano. Su corazón está en la planificación de oportunidades de encuentro con Cristo a través de eventos Blessed is She, al mismo tiempo facilitando recursos para la comunidad hispana. Steph también ofrece un ministerio para jóvenes adultos con su esposo, Chilo llamado The Well. Encuentra mas información aqui.
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