Tuesday, Sept 23, St. Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968). Born in
southern Italy, Padre Pio grew up in a family of farmers. At 15 he joined
the Capuchins and took the name of Pio. On September 20, 1918, as he was
making his thanksgiving after Mass, Padre Pio had a vision of Jesus. When the
vision ended, he had the stigmata in his hands, feet and side. Busloads of
people soon began coming to see him. Each morning after a 5 a.m. Mass in a
crowded church, he heard confessions until noon then took a mid-morning
break to bless the sick and all who came to see him. Every afternoon he also
heard confessions. In time his confessional ministry would take 10 hours a day;
penitents had to take a number so that the situation could be handled. Many of
them have said that Padre Pio knew details of their lives that they had never
mentioned
