San Giovanni Rotondo: Restrictions. Last years. Death. Blessed. Saint.

1958

On July 30, 1958 a decree from Sant'Uffizio Holy Office published on the Osservatore Romano put eight publication about Padre Pio in the Index of forbidden books.

John XXIII was elected Pope on October 28 1958

1959

April 24,1959, the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima visited Italy, starting from Naples. The same day  Padre Pio became very ill.

Had bronchopneumonia. Couldn't celebrate Mass. July 1-3 was recovered inpatient at Casa Sollievo. The illness continued.

On August 5 the Statue of Fatima came to the Convent. On August 6 the Statue was just leaving in helicopter.

Padre Pio; "Madonna, my Mother, I have been sick since you came to Italy; and now you are leaving, and leaving me sick."

Padre Pio: "I felt a chill in the bones." "I'm  feeling well." "I am healed! Our Lady has healed me!"

Later he said: "The Madonna came here, to heal Padre Pio." August 10 he resumed Mass, and the 21 resumed confessions.

1960

On May 9, 1960 started the tape recording of Padre Pio's conversations, including confessions, by disposition in the Curia Generalizia in Rome.

Padre Pio discovered a microphone is his cell after few days, and cut the wire.

Padre Pio asked the Archbishop of Manfredonia to come: "See what my fellow monks hare doing to me?"

On July 30, 1960 Mons. Maccari came to San Giovanni Rotondo as Apostolic Visitor (inspector sent by the Holy See),

by disposition of Pope John XXIII who had been elected on October 28, 1958,

to conduct investigation of Padre Pio and his ministry. Mons. Maccari left on September 17. He stopped the recordings.

July 5, 1962 L'Osservatore Romano" writes about "some newspapers reporting that microphones have been placed in the

confessional of Padre Pio." And called the reports "scandalous, false, and slanderous".

Material from the recordings was used to prepare a lengthy dossier of accusations against Padre Pio.

August 10, 1960 Padre Pio celebrated 50 years of priesthood.

Mons. Montini, Archbishop of Milan congratulated Padre Pio for being "Gratified by so many gifts and so much fruitfulness."

To people congratulating him for the 50th anniversary, Padre Pio: "Fifty years of unworthiness."

October 4, 1960 Padre Pio signed a will declaring his heir  a juridical entity that the Holy See was to constitute after his death.

18 November 1960 he also signed a document that his 200.000 shares of Casa Sollievo would go to IOR (Vatican).

1961

In April 24, 1961, a letter from Monsignor Parente, member of Sant'Uffizio orders:

" Padre Pio has to celebrate Mass in half hour, or at most in 40 minutes, and he can't say Mass every day at the same time".

Padre Pio: "To obey to the superiors is obeying to God."

November 19, 1961, Padre Pio signs a letter upon request by Cardinal Cicognani Secretary of State in which he

transfers the property of the House for the Relief of Suffering (Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza) to the Holy See.

1962

In 1962, 83.035 women and 19.837 men  registered for confession with Padre Pio. An average of about 273 per day.

At that time Padre Pio confessed between 8 and 12 hours per day.

End of 1962. Padre Pio was authorized to substitute the reading of the Breviary with the praying of the Rosary.

1963

In October 1962, before the beginning of the first session of the Ecumenical Council,

50 bishops and archbishops and thousands of priests visited Padre Pio.

Pope John XXIII dies on June 3, 1963. Paulus VI elected on June 21.

1964

Padre Pio on January 1964: "I'd like to be considered like any other capuchin friar."

February 19, 1964 Padre Clemente da Milwaukee, Superior General implements an order by Cardinal Ottaviani that:

." Padre Pio exercise his priestly ministry in full freedom."

On May 11, 1964 Padre Pio signed a document nominating the Holy See legatee and devisee of all his remaining belongings.

December 14, 1964 Padre Pio signed a statement prepared by Cardinal Ottaviani at the Sant'Ufficio:

"... I declare that I have full freedom in my ministry, and that I don't have neither enemies nor persecutors."

." I find in the superior of my Order and in the authority of the Church comprehension, comfort, and protection."

1965

On March 9 1965 Cardinal Bacci was sent by Pope Paul VI to present the

Indult (special permission given personally by the Pope) that Padre Pio could continue to say the Mass the old way:

 Padre Pio thanked Cardinal Bacci, and than said:" The Council. For pity's sake, end it in a hurry."

March 19 1965:" It's time that the Lord calls me to go with him."

1967

On October 14, 1967 he told to his niece Pia Forgione Pennelli: ." In two years I wont be here any longer, because I will be dead."

In 1967 Padre Pio confessed about 15.000 women and 10.000 men. An average of 70 people per day.

1968

From a letter sent by Padre Pio on September 12, 1968 to the Pope Paul VI:

"I offer to you my prayers and my daily suffering, so that the Lord comfort you with his grace,

to continue defending the eternal truth that never changes with the times change.

I thank you for the clear words in the "Humanae Vitae" (The encyclical letter 'Of human life)

and confirm my faiths and my unconditional obedience."

The wounds disappeared on September 20, 1968 on the fiftieth anniversary of they appearance."

On September 22, 1968 Padre Pio celebrated his last Mass. The wounds has disappeared.

The wounds had disappeared on September 20, 1968 on the fiftieth anniversary of they appearance."

After last Mass, looking at the crowds in church:  "oh my children! Dear my children."

On September 23, at 2:30 AM Padre Pio, holding the Rosary, whispered: "Jesus Mary, Jesus Mary." and than he died.

It is finished. Jo.19,30

"My true mission will begin after my death."

"When I am in heaven I will be able to do much more".

The Capuchin Friars

Padre Pio over the years received immense help from his confreres. From guiding him with spiritual direction to consoling him through the dark nights of restriction,

witnessing the ecstasies and the assaults of the devils. They held him as a model of Christian and Franciscan virtue, they learned from him

how to get and stay close to God. They took with him the fascinating journey of a unique life filled with supernatural intensity.

We are very grateful for what they did.

                                                                     Padre Damaso              Padre Agostino                                           Padre Benedetto 

Friar Camillo, in his rounds of quest for alms, inspired the preschooler Francesco with his beard and the stories about St. Francis.

Padre Damaso da Sant'Elia a Pianisi, Padre Agostino, Padre Evangelista, and Padre Benedetto all three from San Marco in Lamis, Padre Pio da Fragneto l'Abate,

helped Padre Pio  through the formative years, witnessing extraordinary phenomena and testifying about them.

                                                        Padre Paolino       Padre Lorenzo      Padre Ignazio       Padre Bernardo     Padre Tommaso         Padre Luigi

                                                                   Padre Nazareno               Padre Pietro                Padre Raffaele       Padre Clemente da Postiglione

Padre Nazareno da Arpaise , Padre Paolino da Casacalenda, Padre Lorenzo da San Marco in Lamis, Padre Ignazio da Ielsi,

Padre Bernardo d'Alpicella, Padre Tommaso da Monte Sant'Angelo , Padre Raffaele da Sant' Elia a Pianisi, Padre Luigi D'Avellino, Padre Pietro da Ischitella,

Padre Clemente da Postiglione, were besides the young priest and capuchin friar Padre Pio, encouraging him throuth the times of the Wounds and of the restrictions.

                                                                                               Padre Ferdinando         Padre Teofilo        Padre Emilio     Padre Amedeo

                                                                                  Padre Rosario      Padre Clemente           Padre Torquato     Padre Carmelo da San Giovanni in Galdo

Padre Carmelo da Sessano

Padre Ferdinando da San Marco in Lamis, Padre Carmelo da Sessano, Padre Teofilo dal Pozzo, Padre Emilio da Matrice, Padre Amedeo da San Giovanni Rotondo ,

Padre Rosario da Aliminusa, Padre Clemente da Santa Maria in Punta, Padre Torquato da Lecore , Padre Carmelo da San Giovanni in Galdo, were superiors or co-friars of

Padre Pio through the fifties and the restrictions of the sixties. They poured on him fraternal love and unconditional support.

                                                      Padre Onorato, back                             Padre Alessio Parente                                          Padre Adriano

                                                          Padre Pio helped by Fra' Giovanni                Fra Modestino da Pietrelcina

                                                        Father Joseph Martin accompanies Padre Pio                                           Padre Onorato Padre Pio and Fra' Giovanni

                                                Fra Giovanni Padre Pio and Padre Eusebio Notte

                                                  Padre Mariano kneeling, center                   Fra Giovanni, kneeling, left                  Padre Carmelo da Sessano 

In the last years of his life Padre Pio needed help in many of his daily activities, and the friars provided it in any possible way,

helping him walk on wounded feet, protecting him from rowdy crowds, standing besides him at the altar, organizing the confessions,

while learning from him the love for God and the neighbor. They also shared with him a good lough.

Thank you capuchin friars.

Resting place 

Padre Pio's body was placed in the crypt of Saint Mary of Graces.

He had expressed a whish that couldn't be fulfilled: 

"When I die I wish to be buried underground, because I am a worm, a great sinner."

Pope John Paul II visited Padre Pio's grave on May 27, 1987   

  Padre Pio Was Proclaimed Blessed on May 2, 1999.

He was proclaimed a saint on June 16, 2002.

The ceremonies were presided by the pope John Paul II, in Saint Peter's square.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims were present.

Padre Pio's church in San Giovanni Rotondo the day of the ceremony.

   Pictures from St. Peter's Square:

Padre Pio is the greatest person that ever lived.

He accomplished a total fusion with the Divinity, like it has never happened before.

Summary:

God introduces himself to the world:

"I am; I am that I am; I am Alpha and Omega"

Jesus introduces himself to the world:

" I am before Abraham was, I am one with the Father, I am the light of the world, I am the living bread,

I am the good shepherd, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the way,

I am the truth, I am the life, I am the vine, I am with you always, I am holy, I am.

Jesus makes an invitation to the world:

If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. Lc. 9,23

Whoever loves me, I will love him and reveal myself to him. Jo. 14,23

Padre Pio to Jesus:

"Jesus, let me suffer, and let me die from suffering. I desire nothing else than to love You"

Jesus to Padre Pio:

The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. Mc. 4,11

I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.  Jo.15,16

Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. Mt. 5,48

Padre Pio and Jesus:

 I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live. Christ lives in me. Gal.2:19

Padre Pio, with Paul, to us:

"I rejoice in my suffering for your sake.  In my own body I am filling up what is lacking in

the afflictions of Christ on behalf of the Church." Col.1,24

In 2008-10 Padre Pio's body was exhumed, displayed, and placed in the new golden crypt.

On February 28, 2008 the monolithic block of green marble was removed.

On March 2, 2008 archbishop Mons. D'Ambrosio controlled the integrity of the seals put on September 26, 1968, and broke and removed them.

Than the triple casket (metal wood and zinc) was opened. Saint Pio was exhumed 40 years after his death.

On April 24, 2008 the body was put on display at the Shrine of Holy Mary of Grace.

800,000 pilgrims worldwide made reservations to view the body but only 7,200 people a day were able to file past the crystal coffin.

Officials extended the display through September, 2009.

On June 21, 2009 pope Benedict XVI visited the shrine and blessed the new church with the golden crypt.

On September 24, 2009 at the closing of the public viewing, Padre Pio's body was enclosed in a silver casket-reliquary.

On April 19, 2010,  Padre Pio's body was moved to the golden mosaic crypt of the new San Padre Pio church, built by architect Renzo Piano.

This new crypt of outstanding mosaics can only be described by 'seeing it.' Picture are included on next pages.

Exhumation

Visit of Benedict XVI

display

Transfer from St. Mary of  Graces to the new church of Saint Pio

In the new golden crypt