Celebrate Padre Pio's Birthday at the National Centre in Barto, PA (USA) founded by Vera & Harry Calandra. Quick RHP Archive of St. Pio videos / articles. Learn the "Shoulder Wound of Christ" prayer.
Notes on the role of Miracles in our faith: “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you?". C.S. Lewis & Fr. Looney's on Miracles. St. Pio reading ideas.
ETERNAL WISDOM:
“In times of darkness, holding the Rosary is like holding our Blessed Mother’s Hand” – St. Padre Pio
“O Terço é a “arma'“ para estes tempos” ~ São Padre Pio
ABOUT THE SHOULDER WOUND PRAYER & PADRE PIO
In a book published in the Italian language by St. Pio’s friary, titled Il Papa e Il Frate, author Stefano Campanella reported that the future St. Pio had once had a very interesting conversation with Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope St. John Paul II.1
According to Campanella,2
Fr. Wojtyla asked Padre Pio which of his wounds caused the most pain.Fr. Wojtyla expected Padre Pio to say that it was his chest wound;but instead Padre Pio replied, “It is my shoulder wound, which no one knows about and has never been cured or treated.”3
AN INVITATION TO PRAY FOR THE GRACE TO RECITE THE PRAYER TO “THE SHOULDER WOUND OF CHRIST” CARRIED BY ST. PADRE PIO AS A NEW DAILY DEVOTION:
”Prayer to the Shoulder Wound of Christ”
Most loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I, a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most Sacred Wound of Thy Shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy heavy Cross which so tore Thy flesh and laid bare Thy Bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other wound of Thy Most Blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus most sorrowful; I praise and glorify Thee, and give Thee thanks for this most sacred and painful Wound, beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain, and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy Cross to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive me all my mortal and venial sins, and to lead me on towards Heaven along the Way of Thy Cross. Amen.
(Imprimatur: +Thomas D. Beven, Bishop of Springfield, USA)
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, after receiving the message from Christ regarding the pain he experienced in his shoulder, sought to foster this devotion to the Shoulder Wound of Christ.
ARTICLE & PRAYER SOURCE: https://aleteia.org/2016/02/26/padre-pio-bernard-of-clairvaux-and-the-shoulder-wound-of-christ/
Oração à Santa Chaga do ombro de Jesus feita por São Bernardo de Claraval4
Ó! Amado Jesus, manso cordeiro de Deus, apesar de ser eu uma criatura miserável e pecadora, Vos adoro e venero a Chaga causada pelo peso de Vossa Cruz que, dilacerando vossas carnes, desnudou os ossos de Vossos Ombros Sagrados e da qual a Vossa Mãe dolorosa tanto se compadeceu. Também eu, ó (aflitíssimo/Altíssimo) Jesus, me compadeço de Vós, e do fundo do meu coração, Vos louvo, Vos glorifico, e Vos agradeço por esta Chaga dolorosa de Vosso Ombro, em que quisestes carregar Vossa Cruz por minha salvação. Ah! pelos sofrimentos que padecestes e que aumentaram o enorme peso de Vossa Cruz, (vos rogo/rogo-vos) com muita humildade, tende piedade de mim, pobre criatura pecadora, perdoai os meus pecados e conduzi-me ao céu pelo caminho da Cruz. Ámen.5
ACCORDINGLY: “Existem outras orações dedicadas às Santas Chagas: a Novena às Sete Chagas de Jesus, as 15 orações de Santa Brigite, entre outras. Seja através de Santa Brigite, Irmã Maria Marta ou São Bernardo de Claraval, deixemo-nos tocar profundamente por essa devoção e deixar que a misericórdia de Deus venha sobre nós.”
LINK: https://pt.aleteia.org/2016/07/18/padre-pio-bernardo-de-claraval-e-a-ferida-no-ombro-de-cristo/ “Padre Pio, Bernardo de Claraval e a ferida no ombro de Cristo”
STUDYING THE WOUNDS OF CHRIST & THE VALUE OF THE CROSS
In a previous episode of the Rosary Hour Podcast on “The Sorrowful Mysteries”, Karen Rocha asks Fr. Chris Alar (MIC) and Dr. Bob Schuchts to comment on the difference between the five wounds of Christ and our wounds, and why the five wounds of Christ have merit? We continue by asking about the Mystery of the Cross.
In a short yet powerful exchange, Fr. Chris & Dr. Bob share with listeners to the Rosary Hour Podcast their answers — <click here> to listen:
watch this segment of the Live Record video exploring the meaning behind the Sorrowful Mysteries at [minute 6:35].
As St. Pio carried the wounds of Christ for 50 years, today is a good day to pray to the Wounds of Christ.
THE ROSARY HOUR PODCAST NEWSLETTER [SPOTLIGHT ON ST. PIO]
2nd EDITION — 25 MAY 2023: Happy Birthday Padre Pio!
Parabéns pelo seu aniversário!
146 years after the birth of St. Padre Pio, those flying into Philadelphia International Airport (8500 Essington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153, United States) and/or able to drive to 111 Barto Road just 1 hour from the airport can pray the Rosary today at THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PADRE PIO (just before looking for a cupcake offered at the Café San Pio after the noon hour birthday mass). See the itinerary below:
THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PADRE PIO
Physical Address: 111 Barto Road
Mailing Address: PO Box 206, Barto, PA 19504
Email: info@padrepio.org
Phone: 610-845-3000
Date(s) - May 25, 2023
11:15 am - 12:45 pm EST
Happy Birthday to our favorite saint! Enjoy a complimentary cupcake at Café San Pio following Mass while supplies last!
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Confessions – 11:15 AM to 11:45 AM
Rosary – 11:30 AM
Mass – 12:00 PM
Spirituality Centre
PARTIAL REPOST FROM WEBSITE:
“BRINGING PADRE PIO’S STORY TO LIFE”
Padre Pio’s presence can be felt strongly throughout the Museum & Cultural Center. THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PADRE PIO features “detailed recreations of significant sites from Padre Pio’s life” and include “full-size replicas” to allow visitors “to walk in Padre Pio’s footsteps throughout every stage of his life—from boyhood, to priesthood, to sainthood.”
The website, https://www.padrepio.org/ notes that visitors can view Padre Pio’s:
Birthplace in Pietrelcina, Italy
Forgione Family Home
Friary Cell in Morcone, Italy
Tomb in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
The Rosary Hour Podcast invites pilgrims around the world, especially in North America, to consider visiting the National Centre for Padre Pio’s Museum & Cultural Center in the USA this summer to experience the life and work of Padre Pio firsthand. Consider a road trip or pray to St. Pio for his intercession about which family member / friend / colleague / Parish friend / etc. you might invite who might enjoy visiting the National Centre.
NOTE: For more information —the fascinating backstory to (and recorded at) the National Centre is featured in a documentary about miracles and St. Padre Pio on EWTN.
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: “THE MIRACLES of PADRE PIO” on the ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK.
NOTE: The full documentary is a dramatized re-presentation focusing on two stories, one of which is the miraculous story of Vera Calandra. In 1968, shortly before he died, St. Padre Pio miraculously regnerated the bladder of Vera and Harry Calandra’s two-year old daughter after it had been surgically removed by Dr. C. Everett Koop who died in 2013. Read more about Dr. Koop in this article: “Padre Pio Miracle Healing Amazes Future U.S. Surgeon General” also by Schiffer. https://www.ncregister.com/blog/c-everett-koop-and-padre-pio
ST. PIO DOCUMENTARY AVAILABLE ON DEMAND via EWTN HERE:
In this documentary, host Michael O’Neill explores the extraordinary miracles of the greatest wonder-working saint in modern history, and the many intercessory cures and favors that have been attributed to him.
WHERE IS VERA TODAY?
Today, “Vera Marie Calandra serves as the Centre’s Assistant Manager and Vice President, working alongside two of her sisters and several of her nieces and nephews to lead the Centre into a future of growth.”6
WELCOME! & Schedule a Pilgrimage
The National Centre for Padre Pio is a scenic and spiritual destination that is ideal for parish, group, or individual pilgrimages. We welcome visitors from all creeds and walks of life, and encourage you to experience a full day filled with meditation, prayer, and the powerful presence of Padre Pio.
Whether you are traveling in a group or individually, there is no cost to visit the National Centre for Padre Pio. If you plan to make the trip with a parish or group, we simply ask that you fill out the following form so that we can prepare for your arrival. Individuals do not need to register.
Any group who is bringing a priest and would like to have Mass and/or Confession MUST contact the Centre offices during our normal business hours of Monday – Friday from 9AM to 5PM. We may be reached at (610) 845 – 3000.
SCHEDULE VISIT HERE: https://www.padrepio.org/visit/schedule-a-pilgrimage/
THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PADRE PIO
Physical Address: 111 Barto Road
Mailing Address: PO Box 206
Barto, PA 19504
Email: info@padrepio.org
Phone: 610-845-3000
QUICK DEFINITIONS: “WHAT IS A MIRACLE?”
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a miracle is
“An extraordinary and astonishing happening that is attributed to the presence and action of an ultimate or divine power”.
C.S. Lewis defines Miracles in his classic book: https://a.co/d/fU6gYtt
In Chapter 16: Miracles of the new Creation, C.S. Lewis states,
“In the earliest days of Christianity an ‘apostle’ was first and foremost a man who claimed to be an eyewitness of the Resurrection. Only a few days after the Crucifixion when two candidates were nominated for the vacancy created by the treachery of Judas, their qualification was that they had known Jesus personally both before and after His death and could offer first-hand evidence of the Resurrection in addressing the outer world (Acts 1:22).7 A few days later St. Peter, preaching the first Christian sermon, makes the same claim — ‘God raised Jesus, of which we all (we Christians) are witnesses (Acts 2:32).8 In the first Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul bases his claim to apostleship on the same ground — ‘Am I not an apostle? Have I not see the Lord Jesus?’ (Corinthians 1:9).9
As this qualification suggests, to preach Christianity meant primarily to preach the Resurrection. Thus people who had heard only fragments of St. Paul’s teaching at Athens got the impression that he was talking about two new gods, Jesus AND Anastasis (i.e. Resurrection) - Acts 17:18.
Regarding miracles, and that of the Eucharist, we read in the Gospel of John:
28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”
29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
30 So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?
31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
32 Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
So often, it can be tempting to forget the supernatural dimension to the Gospel, which can be lost today with the idea that Jesus is a “good teacher” and a “spiritual guru”. However, when we pay attention to the miraculous aspect to our faith, we can come closer to the power which governs what de Lubac called in his book “Christ and the Common Destiny of Man”. All controversy aside, de Lubac gives practical wisdom that we shall “overcome” the temptation to interpret our destiny otherwise and suggests what we need is a “great spiritual asceticism”. (Henri de Lubac, Catholicism: Christ and the Common Destiny of. Man, 298-299, Ignatius Press, 1947).
THE RHP RECOMMENDS:
BOOKS ON PADRE PIO
“Padre Pio: Glimpse into the Miraculous”
Kindle Edition
AUTHORED BY: Pascal Cataneo
This book is highly accessible, and it is even recommended by our youngest podcasters! There are many stories that can be read to children and which provide fascinating explorations into the mystical life of St. Padre Pio. DISCLAIMER: As with many stories, there are, of course, some segments in the book which require parental explanation & age-appropriate discretion / discussion depending on maturity / theological understanding of the Gospels / Catechesis / the Cardinal virtues (and their opposites), etc. Pauline Books and Media provides the following summary of this book:
“This collection of inspiring, astonishing, and humorous anecdotes offers a glimpse into the life and miracles of Padre Pio. These personal accounts reveal how he inspired countless conversions through his gifts of bilocation, visions, healing powers, and multilingualism.
Written by Pascal Cataneo, a fellow priest and contemporary of Padre Pio, readers are given a unique window into this Capuchin friar's humility, directness, and humor.
By connecting the ordinary with the supernatural, it is shown that the miraculous is possible in this world.”
Another wonderful volume available for Father’s Day is:
“Padre Pio's Spiritual Direction for Every Day Kindle Edition”
by Gianluigi Pasquale (Author), Marsha Daigle-Williamson (Translator)
SEE AMAZON: https://a.co/d/7EK185R
This is a lovely 365-day read that houses many of Padre Pio’s reflections through his letters. You can download the Kindle version using the above link.
VIDEO RESOURCES ABOUT ST. PADRE PIO:
SAINT PADRE PIO: “50 YEARS OF THORNS and ROSES”, FREE DOCUMENTARY
SAINT PADRE PIO - AMAZING STORIES - LIVING DIVINE MERCY EWTN
Streamed live on Sep 18, 2021 NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE DIVINE MERCY, STOCKBRIDGE, MA
In this video, “Fr. Chris Alar explains why we need to know about this critical saint, the Stigmata, and what makes Padre Pio the most important saint of our times.”
This is a longer video with more extensive commentary on Padre Pio.
Fr. Chris on Padre Pio - < 10 minutes
This video contains a segment about Padre Pio that is about 12 minutes
PODCAST ARTICLE LINKS FOR YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS:
With the inspiration of Vera and Harry Calendra, who responded to the call of Heaven to teach others about the power of our Faith, take a moment to pray today about how you might tell others about St. Padre Pio, whether it be via SM online and/or parish discussions.
How might you be part of their dream of increasing knowledge of this great Saint in your community?
June 16, 2023 is around the corner. Get ready to share with others the Homily by St. John Paul II about St. Padre Pio — print copies for your parish, or post it to your Facebook / Instagram websites. Add it to your staff memo appendix, or read it to children / your classes / your weekend catechesis group, etc.
Here is the voice of St. John Paul on this Saint
PORTUGUESE: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/pt/homilies/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20020616_padre-pio.html
EXCERPT:
Is it not, precisely, the "glory of the Cross" that shines above all in Padre Pio?
How timely is the spirituality of the Cross lived by the humble Capuchin of Pietrelcina. Our time needs to rediscover the value of the Cross in order to open the heart to hope.
Throughout his life, he 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.
In God's plan, the Cross constitutes the true instrument of salvation for the whole of humanity and the way clearly offered by the Lord to those who wish to follow him (cf. Mk 16,24).The Holy Franciscan of the Gargano understood this well, when on the Feast of the Assumption in 1914, he wrote: "In order to succeed in reaching our ultimate end we must follow the divine Head, who does not wish to lead the chosen soul on any way other than the one he followed; by that, I say, of abnegation and the Cross" (Epistolario II, p. 155).
MORE ARTICLE RESOURCES
“Padre Pio, Bernard of Clairvaux and the Shoulder Wound of Christ” (K. Schiffer - published on 02/26/16)
“St. Padre Pio: His life, his miracles and his legacy”, by: Philip Kosloski - published on 04/12/21
RHP ANNOTATIONS: for 25 MAY 2023 POST on ST. PADRE PIO
The article written by Kathy Schiffer & published on 02/26/16 for Aletia, “Padre Pio, Bernard of Clairvaux and the Shoulder Wound of Christ”. Schiffer recounts this story briefly.
We did not cross-reference this story with the actual book she mentions. The book is available via IBS in ITALY:
Other books by Stefano Campanella in Italian are listed on La Feltrinelli Internet Bookshop Srl, Via Tucidide 14 (20134 Milano, Italy). Informazioni relative all’e-commerce: 02.91947777
Librerie Feltrinelli is a family owned business that opened in 1957; today there are 112 stores open, with 6 RED (Read Eat Dream) Bistrot Libreria: “store esperienziali presenti a Milano, Firenze e Valmontone (Roma)”. SEE: https://www.gruppofeltrinelli.it/
LaFeltrinelli at the P.zza Ravegnana 1, 40126 Bologna (Telefono: 02.91947777) has a large collection at the heart of this beautiful University town — and it may be a useful research resource for those looking for materials on the Saints in the original Italian (and which might be out of stock on Amazon and/or Pauline Books & Media, or unavailable at the local Library). NOTE: At the main shop in downtown Bologna there is always a large range of children’s books and stocked are copies of the favorite author of our Junior RHP host for Children’s Rosary Q & A — Geronimo Stilton! Here is the original site: https://www.lafeltrinelli.it/ FYI, if you are in Italy this summer and looking for a great bookstore to browse to brush up on your Italian.
THIS ARTICLE in PORTUGUESE: https://pt.aleteia.org/2016/07/18/padre-pio-bernardo-de-claraval-e-a-ferida-no-ombro-de-cristo/
PORTUGUESE — SEE ALSO: https://hozana.org/pt/oracao/terco/santas-chagas
SEE ALSO ARTICLE: “Vera M. Calandra, 69; built shrine to Padre Pio and promoted his cause.”
“In 1999, Mrs. Calandra gave a scripture reading at the beatification of Padre Pio in Rome. She was too ill with cancer to attend Padre Pio's canonization in Rome June 16, 2002. That day, her family was among the thousands who gathered at the National Centre in Barto at 4 a.m. to watch a live broadcast of the ceremonies on a huge TV screen.”
LINK HERE: https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1201963/posts
Let’s pray for Vera and Harry, two amazing people who literally demonstrated Christ’s command in scripture to “Go out and proclaim the Good News” through the intercession of one of the greatest saints of our times.
ACTS 1:22 “Beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” (New International Version)
ACTS 2: 32 “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.” (New International Version)
CORINTHIANS: 1:9 - “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
OR: New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
“God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”