@10 Spiritual children; Prayer Groups

Summary: group meetings, recruiter, Padre Pio, how they became, some: Daniele Natale, Maria Gargani, don Pierino Galeone, Fra’ Modestino, Cleonice Morcaldi (plays)(bloody laundry). Prayer Groups.

Group meetings

The great number of spiritual children of Padre Pio are scattered all over the world.[1]

The first spiritual daughters were Rachelina Russo, her niece Rosinella Gisolfi. Lucietta Fiorentino, her sister Giovanna and Paolina, her sister in law Filomena Fini. Vittorina Ventrella, with her sisters Elena, Maria, and Filomena, their aunt Paolina, and their friend Maddalena Cascavilla. Maria Anna Campanile, known as Nina, her friend Girolama Longo. Maria Pompilio and her sisters; Maria Massa, Mariuccia Riccardi, Angelina Serritelli, Assunta di Tomaso. Esterina Merla, Rosinella Pagliara; Annina Della Croce, Emanuela Tricario.[2]

The group started meeting in 1916, in the afternoon, on Thursdays and Sundays, mostly in the guestroom of the friary, and at times in one of the member’s house.[3]

Nina Campanile: “Padre Pio gave us talks about spiritual formation, usually taken from evangelical parables.” [4]

Vittorina Ventrella: “From the parables as a starting point Padre Pio would teach us of the detachment from earthly things and the mortification of the senses.”[5]

Nina Campanile: “Sometimes the meetings took place at one of our houses when Padre Pio couldn’t come. Often Rosinella Gisolfi saw that Padre Pio was present during our meetings and used to warn us: “Padre Pio is here with us.”[6]

The meetings began to slow down and were suspended completely during the epidemic of the Spanish flu.”[7]

Later Padre Pio continued the spiritual formation through letter, individual meetings, and in the confessional.[8]

Vittorina Ventrella: “We would have liked him to spend the same amount of time for each of us, and we grumbled and felt upset when he stayed with someone longer.”[9]

They also complained that Padre Pio “Treated some more gently and others more harshly.”[10]

Padre Pio to Filomena Fini: “You must realize that I don’t act by chance, but by God’s will. To some souls it is necessary to give milk, and to others solid food.”[11]

Nina Campanile: “For some spiritual daughters who had the quality to teach others Padre Pio had special regard and called them teachers, because they could pass on his teaching.”[12]

The first tasks were to prepare children for the First Communion, distribute money to the needy, help with the correspondence.[13]

On time the number of spiritual children grew greatly. One day Cleonice Morcaldi asked: “”How big is you flock?” Padre Pio: “It’s immense.”[14]

Padre Pio recruiter

Padre Pio to Count John Telfner in 1936: “Why don’t you stay here?” He did leaving behind a life of privilege.

To Rina Giostrelli, the wife of Count John Telfner, Padre Pio said: “Before you were born, God entrusted you to me.”[15] “Do you wish to stay here in San Giovanni Rotondo?” She replied: “Yes Padre Pio.” She was twenty years old.[16]

To dr. Guglielmo Sanguinetti: “You have to come here to help me to build a large hospital. Sell what you have and come to live here. You have a piece of paper that will soon solve your problems.”[20]

To Angelo Battisti: “Angelino, keep working. I will take care of the rest.” Angelino was an administrator in the Vatican. Padre Pio offered him to administer Casa Sollievo. He did it for eleven years.

Engineer Nora Figna was facing many difficulties, including the fact that her family didn’t want for her to move to San Giovanni Rotondo. Padre Pio: “For them to take you, I have to send you. And I will never send you back. You instead must always stay here.”[21]

Anna Cancellario built the hotel “Villa Pia” for the pilgrims. She asked Padre Pio why she had had the call when she was already thirty five. Padre Pio: “I already knew you when you were four; and when you were fifteen. I have always known you.”[22]

Elisa Salvucci met Padre Pio on May 11, 1956. Padre Pio said: “Stay here.” She did.[23]

Piero Melillo settled in San Giovanni Rotondo after a long struggle. Padre Pio: “I showed you many paths to come to me, but it was useless: only your father’s illness made you move.”[24]

Pina Patti went to San Giovanni Rotondo as a substitute teacher in secondary school. Padre Pio: “If you stay here, you will be happy here.”[25]

Padre Pio father

“I belong entirely to everyone. Because of it I suffer immensely for everyone.” ^{^[27]}

"I have made a pact with the Lord: I will take my place at the gate to Paradise, but I shall not enter until I have seen the last of my spiritual children enter."^{^[29]} ^{^[30]} ^{^[31]}

“I can forget myself, but not my children; I tell you that when the Lord will call me, I will stay at the door of paradise and I will tell Him: ‘Lord, I do not enter before I see that all my children have entered.” Cleonice Morcaldi asked Padre Pio: “Did you really say that? “ Padre Pio: “I made this proposal to the Lord. I don’t know if He accepts it.”^{^[32]}

“When a soul approaches me, I take it. When I have taken a soul, I never let it go.”^{^[34]}

“If a soul slips from me and goes away, I pray and suffer for her return, and when she has returned I retake her, and don’t let her run away again.”^{^[35]}

"If one of my spiritual children ever goes astray I shall leave my flock and seek him out."^{^[36]}

“It is true I make my penitents sweat blood. But I also add my own blood.”^{^[37]}

“I can hit my children. I want to bring them up fast with blows, but woe that lay a hand on them.”^{^[39]}

“How come at times you are a bit harsh?” Padre Pio: “To destroy the old and insert the new.”^{^[40]}

“I work to give my children the heritage.”^{^[41]} “When I have lifted a soul, I don’t let it fall down again.”^{^[42]}

"When the Lord entrusts a soul to me, I place it on my shoulder and never let it go."^{^[43]}

“After I die I will be closer to you than I am now. I will watch over you better, because I won’t be suffering there.”[44]

To Padre Marcellino:”I will be able to do more from there than I can here.”[46]

How they become spiritual children

Many today still ask: “How did one become a spiritual child of Padre Pio?”[47]

Lucietta Pennelli from San Giovanni Rotondo had received the first Communion from Padre Pio, and confessed with him every week. When she was a teen ager asked Padre Pio if he would take her as a spiritual daughter. Padre Pio: “And of whom have you been a daughter up to now?”[48]

Rino Gerolometti had been confessing with Padre Pio for several years. In the summer of 1968, at the end of confession, Padre Pio said: “Go now, my son!” Rino was deeply moved that he had be called son, and concluded that he was now his spiritual child.[49]

Sister Carmelita Mannella asked to become his spiritual daughter. Padre Pio: “Yes. Be a fervent Christian, a fervent nun.”[50]

To Ennio Staccioli: “Very well, but be careful not to make me leave you.”[52]

To sister Eleanora Di Carlo: “But do you know what it means for me to answer yes? That you get me into trouble.”[53]

To Maria Fusco: “I can give you a push, but you have to work hard to go ahead.”[54]

To Padre Dino, marianist: “Very well! But remember that if you don’t behave yourself, my slaps will reach you, wherever you are.”[55]

To Enzo Picciafuoco: “Yes, but be sensible! If not there will be blows.”[56]

To Pietro Cugino: “Be a good Christian. Observe God’s law. The Lord does not ask much. If you will do so, God will be happy, and so will I.”[57]

Sauro Volpe from Viareggio had a dream where Padre Pio told him: “Come visit me.” After months he visited Padre Pio. After confession he said: “May I consider myself your spiritual son? “ Padre Pio: “Certainly! Otherwise why would I have called you!”[58]

How to become spiritual children

In 1956 Fra’ Modestino got the promise from Padre Pio that if we say a five decades rosary every day, and now and then have a Mass celebrated for Padre Pio’s intention, we will become Padre Pio’s spiritual children.[63]

On September 20, 1968, three days before his death, Padre Pio gave to Modestino his own rosary and said: “Here, I entrust to you the holy rosary. Diffuse it among my children.”[64]

Every night, at 21:00 PM, at the tomb of Padre Pio there is always a large gathering of people praying the rosary.[65]

Fra’ Modestino’s statement: “All that, from their homes, join the praying of the rosary from 9 to 9:30 PM, at the tomb of Padre Pio, and now and then have a Mass celebrated for Padre Pio’s intention, become Padre Pio’s spiritual children. I assure you of this, under my own responsibility.”[66]

People pray the rosary at the tomb of Padre Pio every night at 9:00 P.M. (Italy time)

Some spiritual children

Giacomo Gaglione

Giacomo Gaglione lived paralyzed for more than fifty years. Padre Pio said of him when he died on May 28, 1962: “He has been with Jesus on the Cross, and now he is with Jesus in Paradise”.

Enrico Medi

Enrico Medi: “Padre Pio for 27 years has guided my life with infinite wisdom.”

Nicola Cocomozzi

Nicola Cocomozzi, employee of the post office in San Giovanni Rotondo, brought for several years to Padre Pio the mail items that needed his signature. Padre Pio blessed Nicola's wedding, and also baptized his child.

Giovanni Bardazzi

Giovanni Bardazzi from Prato, near Florence in Tuscany met Padre Pio in 1950. In confession he was denied the absolution for three times over several months. The forth time Padre Pio gave the absolution, and Giovanni was transformed in a God loving person. He started a business driving people from the Prato area to San Giovanni Rotondo several times a year, first in a Lancia Aurelia B15-2000 with nine passenger seats.then with a bus when the number of pilgrims grew. He started numerous charities and built the church of Saint Mary of Graces in Calenzano, as directed by Padre Pio: “My son, you will build a church and a house for you.” “Your house will always be open for those in need.”

Fra Daniele Natale

In 1935 he went to Morcone for the novitiate, and joined the Capuchin family with the name of Frà Daniele. He renounced the studies for priesthood, and decided to be a lay brother. He did cooking, alms seeking, door keeping, and sacristan.

Padre Pio offered to become his spiritual father, and gave him the incumbency of animator of the prayer groups.Fra Daniele was very pious, and many people got helped by his words and prayers.

On March 8, 2012, the Archbishop Michele Castoro, opened the diocesan process of canonization, and Fra Daniele was named Servant of God.

Maria Gargani

Maria Gargani was born in Morra Irpina, the last of eight children. She was an elementary school teacher, very, religious, with an intense spirituality.

Padre Pio never started spiritual direction by letter without permission from his superiors. In this case both Padre Benedetto and Padre Agostino encouraged and approved. Padre Pio wrote 67 letters to Maria. The first one was on August 26, 1916. In that letter Padre revealed that Jesus had let him know her soul.[59]

In 1923 by disposition of the Holy Office Padre Pio stopped writing letters. The last dated letter from Padre Pio to Maria Gargani was written on May 16, 1923. In the letter Padre Pio confides: “These days I feel like I am in and infernal prison.”[60]

In his direction of Maria, Padre Pio was firm and unwavering. Maria Gargani, besides teaching, was active member of Catholic Action, and of Thir Order of St. Francis. On April 21, 1936 she founded the Apostles of the Sacred Heart, with Padre Pio’s approval. Maria died on May 23, 1973. Currently she has the title of Servant of God. Her process of canonization is ongoing.

Don Pierino Galeone

Don Pierino met Padre in 1947. In 1945 he had been diagnosed with tuberculosis while he was seminarian in Molfetta. He left the seminary and went for treatment for two years. He spent several days in San Giovanni Rotondo without telling Padre Pio about his medical condition. The day he was leaving, Padre Pio put his hand on don Pierino’s chest, passing all over it. Then he said: “You can die of anything else but not of this.”

Don Pierino had many supernatural experiences in hic contact with Padre Pio. He is the founder of the secular institute “Children of Suffering.” He was an important witness in 1986, in the process of beatification, and concelebrated with the pope at the ceremonies of Beatification and Canonization.

Mons. Galeone wrote the book: Pierino Galeone, Padre Pio mio padre, Edizioni San Paolo, second Edition 2009.

Rev. Olinto Marella known as “Padre Marella”

Studied at the Apollinare College in Rome, earning a doctorate in Theology. The future Pope John XXIII was his classmate.

Ordained in 1904, was suspended ‘a divinis’ in 1909. In 1919 got a PhD in History and Philosophy. In 1925 he was reinstated in the clergy.

Don Olinto dedicated his life to the poor and neglected, especially children, begging at street corners. He founded in Bologna a “Boy’s Town” and in Bologna and Ravenna an institution for the families in need currently called “Opera Padre Marella”.

Padre Marella visited Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo and was encouraged in his dedication to the poor.

The diocesan process for his beatification was completed in 2005. Padre Marella is currently Servant of God.

Padre Pio delle Piane

Padre Andrea D’Ascanio recalled that when Padre Pio da Pietrelcina was asked about Padre Pio delle Piane he said: “Padre Pio of the plains? No. Padre Pio of the peaks!”

Elena Bandini

She was member since young age of the Franciscan Third Order, helping the apostolate of Padre Massimo da Porretta.

Elena met Padre Pio in 1921. She received 24 letters from him, and also exchanged more than one hundred of questions and answers on small pieces of paper. In 1936 she moved to San Giovanni Rotondo.

Elena Bandini had been helping for many years the church, the monastery, and the local people of San Giovanni Rotondo. She played the organ and directed the choir in the church of St. Mary of the Graces. She suffered from stomac cancer, which eventually took her to death. "She asked for no cure. She wanted to unite her sufferings to those of Padre Pio and offer them for his intentions." When she died, John McCaffery told Padre Pio: “She certainly went without any stop from here to Paradise”. Padre Pio with two great tears rolling down his cheeks: “Oh! Without stop at all!”

Fra’ Modestino

Damiano Fucci was born in 1917 in Pietrelcina, the birthplace of Padre Pio. His parents were childhood friends of PadrePio. Following the advice of Padre Pio, Damiano entered the novitiate in Morcone and in 1946 became Fra’ Modestino, a lay brother the Capuchin Order. [61]

Padre Pio told him: “My son, I will constantly be near you, and the sight of Saint Francis will always be on you.”[62]

Padre Pio gave Fra' Modestino his Rosary, before dying, and explained how everybody can become his spiritual child. Fra' Modestino's tomb is in the church of San Pio in Pietrelcina, near the Holy Family convent..

Angela Iacobelli

Born in Rome 10-16-48. Before receiving Fist Communion she used to hug and kiss her parents returning from Mass and communion, because for her it was ‘like hugging Jesus’. She wrote: “The love of Jesus is wonderful. Everything changes, everything transforms, but He is always the same.” When she heard cursing she wound grab the arm of whomever was nearby and say: “Let’s make reparation right away, lest’s say a Salve Regina.”

On September 19, 1960 she went with her parents to Padre Pio. She confessed with him.

“Padre, You have to rip this grace from the Madonna. I say the Rosary every day. I can’t stand seeing my mother suffering so much. If the Madonna gives me the vocation, I’m willing to become nun.” Padre Pio: “Brava! Brava!”

“I have been sending to you my guardian angel every day. Did he come? Do you listen to him?” Padre Pio: “Of course I listen to him!”

Padre Pio told her not to be discouraged, to pray and confide in the Lord, and that she needed to do God’s will.

Her body stayed uncorrupted and rests in the church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini in the Vomero section of Napoli (Italy).

On June 11, 1991, the Holy Seen gave the “Nihil Obstat” for the introduction of the cause of beatification. In 1999 a prodigy has been attributed to Angela.

Demarista Parretti

Since she was eleven, a little statue of the Virgin Mary reminded her to say her prayers in the evening.

At 12 she fell from a moving cart. For years didn’t tell anybody of the severe pains in her low back. The ‘sacrum’ bone had to be removed.

On May 15, 1946 she met Padre Pio and became his spiritual daughter. She returned numerous times.

In 1961, under his guidance she started the “Casa Francescana della Pieta’” for elderly people in Virginiolo Montespertoli, in Campi Bisenzio.

Annita Rodote

Born in Foggia in 1890, she learned from a certain Francesca to be a seamstress, and worked in the Cerase family. Orphan at young age, after two negative cloistral experiences, became nun with the Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Ariano Irpino.

He wrote on how to meditate (Epistolario 3, 63), and how to behave in and out of church (Epistolario 3, 86-9).

“When you can’t take big steps on the road to God, be happy taking small steps, patiently waiting to have legs able to run, and even better wings to fly.” (Epistolario 3, 115) (Epistolario 3, 432) (Epistolario 3, 859) (Epistolario 3, 959)

Margherita Tresca

Born in Barletta in 1888. Padre Pio and Margherita never met in person (3, 155). Padre Benedetto told Padre Pio about her in 1913. The correspondence between Padre Pio and Margherita includes 27 letters between 1915 and 1021.

Because her parents rejected the idea that she became a nun, in 1919 Margherita run away from home to enter the congregation of the Bridgidines in Rome.

“A passenger, locked in a windowless cabin of the ship, doesn’t see the ship and doesn’t perceive the she is moving. If the passenger is concerned about the rolling of the ship, he fears that the rolling means that the ship will sink soon to the bottom of the sea. If he gets on the deck he will see that the ship is floating and is sailing at high speed, and it only shakes because of its own strength in breaking the waves. ” (Epistolario 3, 191) (3, 973)

Assunta Di Tomaso

Born in Casacalenda in 1894. She was the sister of Padre Paolino da Casacalenda, superior of the convent from 1914 to 1919.

She embroidered linen for the altars of the church. Padre Pio: “I have seen the linen that you have done for the church. I like them very much. May Jesus give you an adequate compensation.” (Epistolario 3, 416)

Padre Pio told Padre Paolino that she would not die now. She died on May 17, 1953.

Before expiring she sat on the bed and said: “Oh! I’m already in Paradise.” (Epistolario 3, 394).

“The blind belief and the total adhesion to the authority established by God is the lamp that lightens the steps of the people of God. It is like the light that guided the Magi to adore the born Messiah.” (Epistolario 3, 400)

“The more winter is harsh spring will be more beautiful, richer in flowers, and with a more abundant harvest.” (Epistolario 3, 431) (Epistolario 3, 1067)

“Be happy to be a little bee now still living in the nest. Soon you will become a big bee, able to produce honey.” (Epistolario 3, 432) (Epistolario 3, 859) (Epistolario 3, 980)

Rachelina Russo

Born in 1875 in San Giovanni Rotondo, she helped the convent since the friars returned in it in 1909.

In 1919 she met Padre Pio, who was still in Foggia. She received 16 letters from Padre Pio, all of them dating before he moved to the convent in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Rachelina Russo became spiritual child of Padre Pio with her nieces Rachelina Gisolfi, and Rosalia (nicknamed Rosinella) Gisolfi.

Vittorina (Maria Vittoria) Ventrella

Born in 1882 in San Giovanni Rotondo. Whit her sisters Elena Maria, and Filomena, they met Padre Pio in the first few days he moved to San Giovanni Rotondo in 1916, and become his spiritual daughters.

“The gardener has different care for different plants.”( Epistolario 3, 593)

Antonietta Vona

In 1917 Antonietta went on vacation to Casamicciola, where she met Giuseppina Morgera.

The Morgeras sent to Padre Pio a plate of “rape”, his favorite food every day. Antonietta and Giuseppina went to visit Padre Pio, military in Naples.

In 1919 she visited Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, after the news of the stigmata had spread.

She spent the last two years of life in bed with severe arthritic pains. Padre Pio visided her and said: “Antonietta, lets suffer for our brothers.” She died on November 19, 1949.

On the souvenir card Padre Pio wrote: “She was one of the few souls that God was pleased with. She lived in profound humility and suffered continuously; all consumed in God and for God, where she now eternally rests.” (Epistolario 3, 813-6).

“Those who have felt the pricking of the crown of thorns of the Savior don’t feel any other wound.” (Epistolario 3, 827)

“I don’t know if I am directing well the souls that the Lord sends me. They keep increasing in number. I don’t know if I have sufficient spiritual light to guide them. I am tentative, confiding in the pale and cold doctrine I have learned from the books, and on the little light that comes to me from the High above.” (Epistolario 3, 851) (Epistolario 3, 951)

“In Heavens everything will be spring as far as beauty is concerned. Will be fall as far as pleasure, and will be summer as far as love.” (Epistolario 3, 855)

Maria Anna (Mariannina) called Nina Campanile

Padre Pio had just moved to San Giovanni Rotondo in 1916, when she was suggested to meet the “holy friar”. She refused.

Few weeks later the campanile family was notified that Nina's brother Pasqualino had died in combat on September 26, 1916.

Her mom sent Nina with her teacher Vittorina Ventrella to ask Padre Pio if Pasqualino was saved. “Yes he is saved, but he needs your prayers." She asked again on Christmas 1918. Padre Pio said: "He is up there!"

“Many courtiers come and go hundred times in the presence of the king, not to talk to him or to listen to him, but just to be seen as his faithful servants. This way of staying in the presence of God in prayer is very holy, very excellent, very pure, and of very great perfection.” (Epistolario 3, 982)

“Abandon yourself in the arms of divine piety, and let be transported where it pleases.” (Epistolario 3, 1002)

Girolama Longo

Introduced to Padre Pio in 1916, she became his spiritual daughter. Spent few years as a Bidgidine nun, had to leave the convent because of illness. She became a nurse, and practiced for many years.

Fried Folger

Was member of the Third Franciscan Order, and promoted the “Opera Serafica delle Messe”, and other associations. Padre Pio wrote to her 10 letters between 1920-2. Fried provided several linens for the church of Padre Pio.

“Our church needs a complete white set for solemn mass, including a chasuble and two dalmatics.” (Epistolario 3, 1038)

“Thank you for the white set. Thank you for your exquisite charity.” (Epistolario 3,1041)

Violante Masone

Born in 1890 in Pietrelcina. Was an active member and recruiter of the Franciscan Third Order in her hometown. In 1921-2 she received three letters from Padre Pio.

“In the stillness of the night and in the retreat of my cell I have raised high my hand blessing all of you.” (Epistolario 3, 1079)

Graziella Pannullo

Born in 1891 in Pietrelcina. She was a teacher and also an active member and recruiter of the Franciscan Third Order in her hometown.

Padre Pio in a letter recalled to her the spirituality of Assisi and the miracles of the multiplication of bread and oil, reported in the life of St. Claire of Assisi.

Mr. Paolo Bavassano and Mrs. Elisa Devoto

Mr. Alfonso Marchesani and Mrs. Maria Leontina

Mr. Mario Melchioni and Mrs. Antonia Lagorio

Eleonora Francesca Foresti

In 1919 Eleonora, with her brother Giuseppe, went to see Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo. They stayed several days as guests of the Gisolfi family. Eleonora met Padre Pio and was encouraged to start a new religious family “Franciscan Sisters Adorers”, dedicated to prayer and contemplation, but also to the Christian education of children. Padre Raffaele da San Giovanni Rotondo helped, with Padre Pio, in writing down the rules of the new congregation.

Padre Pio said of Eleonora: “She keeps herself innocent like a four years child.”

Now Servant of God, the diocesan process for the beatification of Eleonora Francesca Foresti was concluded in 1997.

Gemma Eufemia Giannini

From August 1899 to January 1903 the future St. Gemma Galgani lived in the Giannini home. Eufemia became very close to her ad was witness and recorder of numerous ecstasies of Gemma.

In 1931 she founded in Lucca the “Passionist Sisters of Saint Gemma Galgani.”

On March 15th, 2008 she was officially declared “Venerable” by Pope Benedict XVI. Thus, she is now officially “Venerable Gemma Eufemia Giannini”. Her feast day is celebrated on August 26th.

Genoveffa De Troia

At age four a sore on the right leg became infected. Her mom took her to the sanctuary of the “Crowned Madonna” in Foggia. She heard a voice: “You will never heal”. In her adolescence she contracted the Hand - Schüller Christian disease. Her body became deformed and she spent 62 years in bed, with open sores and terrible suffering.

Under the direction of Padre Angelico da Sarno she became Capuchin Tertiary and offered all of her suffering to Jesus. She used to say: “During the day I am available to the souls that Jesus sends to me. The night is dedicated to praying and suffering with Jesus.” Innumerable people for all walks of life visited her to get advice and ask for a prayer.

She died in 1949, and her body is now in the Capuchin church of the Immaculate in Foggia. The diocesan process for her beatification was completed in 1992. She is now Venerable.

Padre Annibale Maria di Francia was from an aristocratic Sicilian family. He founded the Anthonian Orphanages, the Rogationist Fathers, and the Daughters of the Divine Zeal.

“In 1919, when he was almost 70, Padre Annibale made two trips to San Giovanni Rotondo, to accompany Fra’ Mariano, Rogationist religious. Fra’ Mariano had returned blind from the frontline of WWI. Padre Annibale wanted to give him hope and comfort to obtain e a miracle from the then young Padre Pio da Pietrelcina. Padre Pio had recently received the gift of the stigmata. The first of the two trips was in preparation, almost a survey. In the second trip he took with him the blind religious. " ( Scritti di Padre Annibale Maria di Francia, vol. 33, pp. 2-4 e pp. 166-167).

Padre Annibale Maria di Francia was proclaimed Saint on May 16, 2004, by Pope John Paul II .

Statue of St. Annibale Maria di Francia on the outside of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican

Don Luigi Giovanni Orione, born in 1872, was the founder of the Sons of Divine Providence and the Little Missionary sisters of Charity.

Don Orione never met Padre Pio. He was a staunch defender of Padre Pio in the years 1923-1933, "Decade of the blizzard" (decennio della tormenta), actively engaged with Dr. Giorgio Festa, Prof. Giovanni Battista Morelli, Francesco Morcaldi, Emmanuele Brunatto, Mons. Antonio Valbonesi and the Supreme Tribunal of the Holy Office, to free Padre Pio from accusations and restriction.

Don Giacomo Alberione, born in 1884, is the founder of the Society of St. Paul, the Daughter of St. Paul, The Pious

Disciples of the Divine Master, The Sister of Jesus the Good Shepherd, The Sisters of Mary Queen of the Apostles, and

Don Giacomo visited Padre Pio on May 3, 1965. He was accompanied by Padre Angelico da Alessandria. Padre Pio and don Alberione spent about 20 minutes alone on the veranda. Neither of them ever reported what it was said in their conversation.

Afterwords don Alberione and Padre Angelico visited with the Bevilacqua family, owners of a hotel near the convent.

Four months after Don Alberione's visit to Padre Pio, in September 1965 don Valentino Gambi, who worked for Don Alberione as general director of the Pauline publications, visited Padre Pio. Padre Pio told him: “Don’t forget, my son, that you are at the school of a saint. Follow him in all and everything, without ever tiring. I beg you, my son, I beg you.”

Alberione was declared venerable on 25 June, 1996, and was beatified on 27 April, 2003, by His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

Don Dolindo Ruotolo was born in Napoli in 1884. He was ordained priest on June 24, 1905. He wrote a Commentary to the Holy Scriptures in 33 volumes, and many books of theology, mystic, and Christian doctrine. Thousands of letters to his spiritual children constitute his epistolary. He founded "Apostolato Stampa".

On October 29, 1907 he was suspended a divinis and asked by the Holy Office to undergo a formal psychiatric evaluation. He was reinstated on August 8 1910. He was processed and suspended a divinis again in 1921. Don Dolindo was ultimately rehabilitated on July 17, 1937. He referred to himself as “The Madonna’s little old man” and the Rosary was his constant companion. He was an extraordinary confessor, preacher and musician.

In the fall of 1953 Don Dolindo Ruotolo went to San Giovanni Rotondo to meet Padre Pio.

As Don Dolindo reported in his autobiography: “I went to see Padre Pio with Bishop Mons. Giuseppe Maria Palatucci. I went with two intentions. I wanted light on the painful path of the things I was doing, and I wanted something blessed by him to give to the sick people I care for. I had not told anybody what I had in my mind. We had lunch with him. After lunch he opened a drawer and, without me telling him anything, he gave me the things that I wanted for my sick people. Before leaving he hugged and blessed me at my request saying: “You are never full-up of blessings, you always want more.” And then he said verbatim: “The whole Paradise is in your soul. It has always been there in the past, it is there at the present, and will be there for the whole eternity.” The friars were very surprised hearing those words. Padre Pio had given me the light that I needed.” (Sac. Dolindo Ruotolo, Fui chiamato Dolindo, che significa dolore… pagine d’autobiografia. Napoli 1967, p. 268-9)

Padre Pio used to say to the visitors from Napoli" "Why did you come here to see me? You should go to Don Dolindo." Don Dolindo had many gifts from the Holy Spirit, including bilocation, prophecy, perfume, healing, and others.

His body rests in the church of "San Giuseppe dei vecchi e Immacolata di Lourdes" via Salvatore Tommasi, 20 in Napoli. He said frequently: "When I am dead, if you need me, come to my tomb and knock three times. I will help you."

He is now servant of God. His legacy is supported by the "Francescani dell'Immacolata".

Padre Jean Derobert, from Annecy, France, became spiritual son of Padre Pio on October, 3, 1955 when he visited San Giovanni Rotondo while he was student at the Gregorian University in Rome.

One morning in August 1958, while he was a soldier in the French military in Algeria during the war, he received a letter from Padre Pio, just two lines that said: “Life is a struggle but it leads to the light.”

That night his group of six soldiers was attacked by a F.L.N. (Liberation Front of Algerie) commando. The other soldiers were killed. Padre Derobert was severely wounded, had an out of the body supernatural experience, and recovered. After the war he went to see Padre Pio. In the San Francis Hall Padre Pio looked at him and said: “Oh! You made me run so fast! But what you have seen, it was so beautiful!”

Derobert has written a magnificent book on Padre Pio : “Saint Pio de Pietrelcina, transparent de Dieu.” Hovine, 3^rd edition 2013.

Don Probo Vaccarini, born in 1919 in Rimini, worked for the Italian Railoroads “Ferrovie dello Stato”. In 1948, at age 29 he went to confess to Padre Pio and was not given absolution. He decided not to return anymore. Later he had a dream were Padre Pio told him all the sins he had not confessed . Probo returned for confession, and got the absolution. Padre Pio suggested him to get married and have “a numerous and saint family.” Probo married in 1952 and had seven children. His wife died in 1970. He became a permanent deacon in 1985 and, with special permission from the Holy See, he was ordained priest in 1988. He is currenly pastor of San Martino Parish in Venti.

Cleonice Morcaldi was born in San Giovanni Rotondo the day Padre Pio made his religious profession on January 22, 1904.[69]

“Padre Pio one day told me that I was spiritually present when he celebrated the first Mass on August 10, 1910.”[70]

She was next to the last of nine children in a family that had passed from prosperity to dire poverty.[71]

Carmela Fiorentino, Cleonice’s mother, was one of the early spiritual daughters of Padre Pio.[72]

Cleonice studied in Foggia to become a teacher. She wrote her first letter to Padre Pio before a difficult pedagogy exam. Padre Pio’s reply: “Study with love, and on time you will be rewarded. About the professors, that is something between me and God.”[73]

Padre Pio told her several times: “I have worked and suffered so much to pull you away from the world, and give you with pain and love to Jesus. [75]

When she got her first teaching assignment, Padre Pio said: “Don’t take it.” The teacher that took the job refused by her, had a lot of troubles.[76]

Padre Gaetano da Roma prepared Cleonice for the state exams. During the tests she smelled “the strong perfume of Padre Pio”. She passed the exams. Padre Pio had said: “You never lacked my help, and never will.”[77]

She was assigned to teach in the village of Depressa, near Tricase, in the province of Lecce. There Cleonice refused a marriage proposal by a rich young man of a nearby village.[78]

After a year, she was transferred to Monte Sant’Angelo. During the summer break in San Giovanni Rotondo she went daily to Mass, and had frequent verbal exchanges, on most different spiritual topics, with Padre Pio. She had the habit to write down in notebooks his answers.

Some pearls by Padre Pio: “Eat only because the Lord wants it, to preserve life.”

“The angels went to paradise after the test. Before the test they were living in a different world.”

“The real faith is the one of the centurion who said: ‘Say just a word, and my servant will be healed.’”[79]

In Monte Sant’Angelo Cleonice met Giuseppe, an elderly clairvoyant. He said of Padre Pio: “He does God’s will, and God does Padre Pio’s will.”[80]

Cleonice was transferred to San Giovanni Rotondo after three years of teaching in Monte Sant’Angelo.[81]

In San Giovanni Rotondo she went daily to Padre Pio’s Mass, and had the opportunity to ask him a lot of questions.

“I suffer the scourging. It intensifies from the consecration to the communion.”

Before the three years of isolation started in 1921, Cleonice had the opportunity to see Padre Pio frequently, and ask spiritual questions.

Cleonice: “When I was told that there are more inhabited plates I was shocked.” Padre Pio: “Why? You don’t want that other beings exist? Would you think that God’s omnipotence is limited to our little planet?”[83]

Cleonice: “How to pray for a good death?” Padre Pio: “Oh Lord, make me end my life with a perfect act of love and sorrow for having offended You.”[84]

Cleonice: “For a single sin committed by Adam such a bloody Redemption was necessary!” Padre Pio: “Who can understand what it means to rebel to God?”[85]

Cleonice: “Is the heart part of the soul?” Padre Pio: “The soul is one. We give it different names according to the functions: if it understands, is intelligence; if it remembers, is memory; if it loves, is heart.”[86]

“Jesus carried the crown of thorns until after death. His Mother Mary removed it.”

“In Purgatory the souls glorify God’s justice. In Purgatory the souls suffer beyond comprehension, without any reward, and for so long. If we accept with love the suffering on earth, we will pass from the deathbed straight to Paradise.”[87]

In the years 1930-33 Padre Pio was segregated, and the spiritual children were unable to see him. [88] The Seraphic College was relocated, and Padre Pio was stripped of the position of director of the Third Order.[89]

Cleonice sent a note through Pietruccio the blind, and got an “unexpected” written reply by Padre Pio: “The Lord elects the priest for the altar and the confessional. But always God’s will be done. I tell Jesus this is an ordeal by fire. Pray always. I bless you all with growing saintly affection.”

Cleonice was told by a friar that Padre Pio in the evening went in the choir to pray. He turned the light on, and turned it off when he left around 11:11 PM. Cleonice could see the light turned on and off from the attic. She spent every night for years in the attic, praying while Padre Pio was praying. [90]

When the isolation was lifted in 1933, new rules were put in place. For example, it was prohibited to kiss Padre Pio’s hand after confession.[91]

No matter the restrictions, Cleonice recalled that period as “full of spiritual comsolations.”[92]

She received everyday a note from Padre Padre Pio “on a piece of paper, a used envelope, a telegram. Those things he took from the wastebasket near his table.”[93]

“You are imprinted in mommy’s mind and engraved in her heart.” “Mommy kisses you with fiery love.” [94]

When Padre Pio said Mass on the Altar of St. Francis, for about ten years, Cleonice used to sit on side, were the balustrade was detached from the wall, about 20” from the altar.

At the end of the Mass, leaving the altar Padre Pio used to lean his hand without glove on the same spot and Cleonice was able to observe and kiss the hand every day. [95]

On April 2, 1937 Cleonice’s mother died. On May, 4 Padre Pio told Cleonice: “This morning, during Mass, you mother flew to Heaven.”[96]

Cleonice went to live with the Sanvicos for a year and then, as suggested by Padre Pio built her own little house. She lived for eight years and sold it to Federico Abresh. The Telfners gave to Cleonice a piece of their land, and she built a new house on it. Padre Pio blessed the house on September 29, 1947.[97]

“I have seen your name written through the stars and constellations.” “We will be judged for the love of our neighbor.”

“The ones that judge, criticize, and slander, will do a lot of Purgatory.”

God may reject everything in us, but he can’t reject our sincere desire to love Him.”[98]

Cleonice Morcaldi wrote: “The Padre superior had built next to the convent a large hall for the meetings and conferences of the Franciscan third order. He asked me to do the inaugural speech. There were present the friars, the bishop, the town dignitaries and Padre Pio. The hall was used for sacred representations.

I was asked to write them. Padre Pio suggested me the lives of the martyrs. I did St. Agnes, St. Cecilia, St. Tarcisio, St. Catherine, St. Barbara. Other subjects were from the Gospel, about the born blind, the rich man and Lazarus, the resurrection of Lazarus. The last play in the hall was about the first martyr St. Steven.

The hall became too small for the many people wanting to see the plays, so we had to move to a larger hall in Casa Sollievo. There we did St. Peter, St. Paul, Moses. The proceeds of all the plays went for the construction of the Casa Sollievo.

For the St. Peter’s play we collected 27 million liras. Everybody helped me. The doctors and the employees were actors. The electricians, the carpenters, and the workmen prepared the stage. Olga Iezzi painted the scenery, reproducing catacombs, amphitheater, the Mamertine prison, Caesar’s palace.

An employee from Bologna took care of the sounds, such as birds singing, animal verses, the waves of the Red Sea, smoke on Sinai, manna dropping from the sky. The boats for the lake Tiberias were sent to us from Venice. The costumes came from benefactors in Naples and Padua.

Padre Pio used to seat in the front row, protected by two rows of friars. He rested the arms on a kneeler, and during the intermission he said the rosary. Padre Pio told me that he was moved because he saw the episodes live. The last play in Casa Sollievo was about Moses.”^{^[99]}

Cleonice:” In the 1948 elections Padre Pio was the most zelous campaigner. He used to tell everybody: “If you work at it, we will win.” “[100]

The sudden death of dr. Sanguinetti in 1954, gave Padre Pio great suffering.[101]

Cleonice: “During this time frame I had the opportunity to ask Padre Pio more questions, and I wrote the answers in the usual notebook.”[102]

“The Rosary is a treasury. Let’s heal the souls in purgatory. Let’s empty that jail.”

“There is no sin if the soul doesn’t want it, or doesn’t approve it.” “The secrets of the Supreme King cannot be revealed.”

“The talents mentioned in the Gospel are the five senses, intellect, and willpower.”

“The prophet Elias did not die. He just disappeared. He will come at the end of times to fight the antichrist.”

“The soul will rejoice as soon as it reaches Paradise. At the end of the world the body too will rejoice.”[103]

In the fifties Cleonice was treated for several medical problems in Spain, Tuscany, Casa Sollievo, and Bologna.

Maccari

Cleonice about the investigation by Mons. Maccari in 1060: “Monsignor Maccari summoned us. Made us swear on the Gospel to say the truth, asked a lot of questions. His secretary wrote down the answers. He forbad us to kiss Padre Pio’s hand, to approach the confessional, to sit in front pews, to socialize on the square of the convent, to go in the sacristy, and more. Not satisfied with the answers, he called me a second time. He asked questions like: “Don’t you think that Padre Pio at times has rebelled against the holy Mother Church?” He called me a third time. I didn’t go. Their purpose was, in truth, to remove me forever from Padre Pio.”[104]

“After Mons. Maccari left, came a superior from Sicily. He increased the numbers of chains and locks, and made sturdier the fence in between the churches.The churches still were full of people looking at Padre Pio with love and compassion.”[105]

Laundry

“Padre Pio’s health started to deteriorate. Before, I had sent him the cleaned laundry every week. Now he hadn’t the strength to change frequently. “[106]

Carmelina Tamburrano is the daughter of Cleonice’s youngest sister. She went frequently to her aunt’s home.

She writes: “What impressed me most was the care she took when she washed Padre Pio’s undershirts. My older sister also helped out with this. The aunt used to say: “Be careful not to drain the water of the undershirts in the sink. Throw the water of the first washing, in the garden, on the grass, or on the plants. My sister used to go on the terrace, and almost always threw the water in dr. Kirvarday’s garden. When the undershirts were cleaned and dry she sent them back to the convent, where she would get the ones to clean. This went on for years. She frequently sent some white cloths that Padre Pio put on the side wound, and then sent them back to Cleonice to be washed. They were all bloody. Cleonice sent new cloths and kept the ones used. She gave them to the faithful, especially the priests who daily visited with her.”[107]

The garden of Dr. Kisvarday on the left and Cleonicès house and terrace on the right of the pictures

Bloody undershirt

Cleonice: “It was summertime and Padre Pio, all dressed in wool, was suffering terribly the heat. I sent him a white light linen undershirt to be used instead of the woolen one. I was pretty sure the he would refuse it. Instead, a got it back after three days; it was all bloody. Literally speaking, there was no space in between the stains of blood. In several areas, especially over the shoulders, there were stain over stain. I had also sent a pair of white sox. They too had big stains over the area of the wound. A Franciscan friar took these sacred relics to be kept in the archives. A priest took a picture. He then passed it to a journalist without my permission. God allowed it, because it did so much good to those who saw it.”[108]

Cleonice wrote that for more than a year Padre Pio had been repeating a new quote: “Be constant and perseverant in doing good.”

Then he started to use the wheelchair. It was a sad sight. The friar sped up the construction of the crypt. Padre Pio kept saying: “Be constant and perseverant. The prize will be given to the one that completes, not to the one that starts and then stops.”

My friend Olga Iezzi had just died and I asked Padre Pio about her. Padre Pio: “Yes. She is in Paradise.”[109]

Cleonice: “On September 19, 1968 I told Padre Pio: “Tomorrow is the 5oth anniversary of your crucifixion.” Padre Pio : “Do you mean 58^th?” He was including the invisible wounds received in 1910.

“Few days before dying she said: “Carmelina, my time came to go to Paradise.” Cleonice died on February 23, 1987, assisted by her spiritual director Padre Tarcisio da Cervinara.”[110]

“Prayer Groups”

On October 20, 1939, when the globalization of WWII was looming at the horizon, Pope Pius XII, in his first Encyclic “Summi Pontificatus “ invited the catholic world to: “Pray, pray continuously”. [111]

Later, on September 4, 1940, to the members of “Catholic Action” he said: “Pray, pray, pray: the prayer is the key to God’s treasury, the winning weapon in the fight between good and evil.”[112]

Padre Pio told a group of spiritual children: “Let’s something about it. Let’s roll up our sleeves and be the first to respond to the appeal of our Roman Pontiff.”[113]

The first document referring to “groups of faithful resolving to pray together” came from Casa Sollievo in September 1949.[114] [115]

At first they were called “Prayer groups Home for the Relief of Suffering”.[116]

When they became a self-standing organization their name became “Prayer Groups”, and they continued to be connected to Casa Sollievo.[117]

The first list of the prayer groups was published on the August 1950 issue of the bulletin of “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.” The list had the names of 23 groups properly registered. In that issue an appeal was sent for the constitution of prayer groups “in every town and in every nation”.[118]

In 1956 in the bulletin was detailed the function of the groups: “They are groups of faithful who, at least once per month, under the leadership of a priest, gather together to pray, following the dispositions by the Supreme Pontiff. The meetings have the goal of improving the spiritual formation of the participants, through the prayer in common.”[119]

Over the years the groups expanded greatly, but in some dioceses the groups, for fear of presumed fanaticism, were not well accepted and outright prohibited. [120]

Padre Pio always said: “Don’t do anything without the consent and approval from bishops and priests. Do everything by mutual consent, and obey.”[121]

Currently the International Center of the Prayer groups is located in Padre Pio’s hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.

The president of the Opera Padre Pio is also the General Director of the Prayer Groups.

The magazine “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza” is the official paper of the Prayer Groups.

Current president of the “Opera di San Pio da Pietrelcina” is Mons. Michele Castoro, archbishop of Manfredonia – Vieste – San Giovanni Rotondo.

[1] Ias97, 433

[2] Ias07, 438-42

[3] Ias07, 446-7

[4] Ias 07, 447

[5] Ias07, 447

[6] Ias07,448

[7] Ias07, 449

[8] Ias07, 450

[9] Ias07, 451

[10] Ias07, 451

[11] Ias07, 451

[12] Ias07, 452

[13] Ias07, 454

[14] Ias07, 455

[15] Ias07, 456

[16] Ias07, 550

[17] Ruf91, 214

[18] All00, 507

[19] All00, 507

[20] All00, 505-6

[21] Ias07, 456-7

[22] Ias07, 457

[23] Ias07, 457-8

[24] Ias07, 458

[25] Ias07, 459

[26] Pio10, 174

[27] Epist. I, 1153

[28] Ias07, 553

[29] Pio10, 175

[30] Mul09, 172

[31] Par011, 216

[32] Mor13, 81

[33] Ale10, 333

[34] Alb10, 149

[35] Alb10. 149

[36] Alb07, 161

[37] Ias06, 14

[38] Pio10, 174

[39] Duc68,19

[40] Ale10, 334

[41] Cle87, 181

[42] Win88, 47

[43] Alb07, 161

[44] Ias07, 651

[45] Mul09, Preface, XII

[46] Iad97, 652

[47] Ias07, 462

[48] Ias07, 463

[49] Ias07, 463-4

[50] Ias07, 465

[51] Ias07, 465

[52] Ias07, 466

[53] Ias07, 474

[54] Ias07, 484

[55] Ias07, 488

[56] Ias07, 488

[57] Ias07, 482-3

[58] Ias97, 467-70

[59] Epist. III, 228

[60] Epist. III, 386

[61] Mod01, 21

[62] Mod01, 35

[63] Mod01, 68

[64] Mod01, 69

[65] Mod01, 69

[66] Mod01, 69

[67] Mod01, 77

[68] Mod01, 83-5

[69] Mor13, 17

[70] Mor13, 18

[71] Mor13, 19

[72] Mor13, 95

[73] Mor13, 23

[74] Mor13, 24

[75] Mor13, 29

[76] Mor13, 35

[77] Mor13, 38-41

[78] Mor13, 44-5

[79] Mor13, 42-53

[80] Mor13, 57

[81] Mor13, 68

[82] Mor13, 68-79

[83] Mor13, 85

[84] Mor13,87

[85] Mor13, 90

[86] Mor13, 91

[87] Mor13, 85-92

[88] Mor13, 99

[89] Mor13, 100

[90] Mor13, 102-3

[91] Mor13, 105

[92] Mor13, 108

[93] Mor13, 110

[94] Mor13, 111

[95] Mor13, 121

[96] Mor13, 126

[97] Mor13, 125-142

[98] Mor13,125-152

[99] Mor13, 179-81

[100] Mor13, 161-2

[101] Mor13, 166

[102] Mor13, 167

[103] Mor13, 166-176

[104] Mor13, 189-90

[105] Mor13, 196-200

[106] Mor13, 216

[107] Mor13, 319-11

[108] Mor13, 80-1

[109] Mor13, 216-228

[110] Mor13, 234-5

[111] Gia12, 328

[112] Gia12, 329

[113] Fer10, 396

[114] Gia12, 329

[115] Chi67, 396

[116] Gia12, 328

[117] Gia12, 328

[118] Gia12, 329

[119] Gia12, 329

[120] Gia12, 331

[121] Gia12, 331

10 Spiritual children, Prayer Groups