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19 Padre Pio in action (with video)

Summary: St. Francis Hall, (hallway video), Friars, Children, Baptism, First Communion, Wedding, Evening prayers (audio Visit to the Blessed Sacrament).

St. Francis Hall

St. Francis Hall was built in 1959 as a connection between the choir of the new church and the convent.

The name was given by the fresco of St. Francis painted by the local artist Antonio Ciccone.

Don Paolo Cecere, pastor of Sant'Antonio parish in Castellammare di Stabia, with Padre Pio.

Padre Paolino da Nola (right) with Padre Pio. All are smiling.

Giovanni Celotto and Raffaele Esposito standing at the center of the picture, behind Padre Alessio.

1 2

1 Franco Parmentola (talking to Padre Pio) and 2 Giovanni Parmentola (kneeling far right)

Dr. Salvatore Lorini, behind Padre Alessio, looking to his right. The group of men is from Castellammare di Stabia.

Padre Pio in putting his hand on the head of the child Salvatore Lombardi.

In the detail, Padre Pio seems to be looking at none of the presents, but at something else.

Padre Pio passed trough the hall twice a day, and since the area was cloistered, only men were allowed in.

The men lined up spontaneously on their knees and talked to him, and got his blessing.

St. Francis Hall and Hallways video

In this video several silent clips of Padre Pio passing through the hallways and meeting people, are stitched together. This video should be seen several times, and in slow motions, to grasp what is really going on.

Meeting Padre Pio was something special, very special. With every person he had a different interaction.

His facial expression, the movement of the hands and of the arms, the turning of the head, the making of eye contact, the words that he said, the blessings, the answers that he gave, everything that seemed casual was eminently supernatural. There was a minimal part seen, all the rest was unseen. We know that his guardian Angel was always close by and visible by him.

Being able to kiss the wounded hand of Padre Pio was held as a special privilege and an assurance of being in good standing with God. As you can see, not everybody was allowed to. He read the conscience of every person, and knew a lot about their lives.

When people wanted to ask him something, but their voices were choked by the emotion he would give the answer without hearing the question. Many letters were given to him, and he gave answers without opening them.

He stressed to his superiors: “Jesus tells me what to say.” The interactions with Padre Pio were extremely brief but eminently intense. There was nothing superfluous. There was maximal optimization of his time.

God was with him and in him, and speaking through him.

Padre Pio meeting the faithful in the hallways and on the veranda. 05:14

Friar helping friar

Several friars helped Padre Pio holding his arm, to make a bit easier to walk on the wounded feet.

The friars also helped Padre Pio to smile and relax a bit.

Children



Padre Pio gave always special attention to the children. The last two pictures show the construction of the preschool "Scuola Materna Francescana", and Padre Pio visiting it.

Baptism


Padre Pio baptized children in a ceremony outside Mass. He wore surplice and stole.

Carmelina Miglionico holding her child being baptized by Padre Pio.

Baptism of Pio Masone, the nephew of Padre Pio. The godmother, holding the baby, is Mary Pyle.

First Communion

Padre Pio used to bless rosaries and other religious object presented by the visitors. He used to give away blessed medals upon request. The last three pictures show American GI's receiving blessed medals.

Visita al Santissimo Sacramento. Signor mio Gesù Cristo, che per l'amore che portate agli uomini, ve ne state notte e giorno in questo Sacramento,

Visit to the very Holy Sacrament. My Lord Jesus Christ, out of love for us all, You stay night and day in this Sacrament,

tutto pieno di pietà e di amore, aspettando, chiamando ed accogliendo tutti coloro che vengono a visitarvi, io Vi credo presente nel Santissimo Sacramento dell'altare,

full of compassion, waiting for, calling and welcoming all who come to visit you. I believe that you are really here in this Sacrament.

vi adoro dall'abisso del mio niente e vi ringrazio di quante grazie mi avete concesse, specialmente di avermi donato tutto Voi stesso in questo Sacramento,

I adore you in your greatness. I thank you for all the wonderful graces you have given me. But I thank you especially for having given me yourself in this Sacrament,

di avermi data per avvocata la vostra Santissima Madre Maria e di avermi chiamato a visitarvi in questa chiesa.

for having asked your own Mother to mother me, for having called me here to talk to you in this church.

Io saluto oggi il vostro amantissimo Cuore, ed intendo salutarlo per tre fini: Primo, in ringraziamento di questo gran dono;