A few weeks after the canonization of St. Marcellin Champagnat on April 18, 1999, Padre Pio was beatified on May 2 and canonized on June 6, 2002, the Memorial of St. Marcellin. For years there were rumors about his holiness and the gift of the stigmata, which he bore for over 50 years. He lived in the friary of San Giovani Rotondo in southern Italy where hundreds of pilgrims daily sought him in confession. The suffering caused by his wounds was real, a gift from Christ who suffered these same wounds, as did St. Francis of Assisi. But there was further suffering as these wounds were scoffed at by Vatican authorities, and he was forbidden for awhile to offer Mass publicly for a time. He wanted to be "a poor friar who prays", but was called to suffer in mind and body that sinners might believe in God and the world might be saved. When have our own aches and pains we might unite them, in the spirit of St. Pio, with the sufferings of Jesus for these same intentions. It doesn't take away the pain, but puts it in perspective and gives it a purpose.
Bro. Rene
(I will be away for a meeting on Saturday and Sunday and will not have access to a computer until Monday.
Today is the first day of Autumn...may we relish the beauty of this season and continue to give thanks for all we have received.)
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