25 Full Ministry, investigations, restrictions, last years.

Summary: Full ministry, investigations, restrictions, last years.

"Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" Home for the relief of suffering

Drs. Mario Sanvico's and Sanguinetti home, where the first meeting took place.

January 9, 1940. First meeting for the hospital “Casa Sollievo”.[1] [2]

Pius XII

On September 4, 1940, Pope Pius XII, observing that humanity was steadily dividing itself into two ranks, exhorted the world to “Pray, pray, pray. Prayer is the key to the treasure of God; it is the weapon of battle and victory in the fight for good against evil.”[3]

Padre Pio stated promptly to dr. Sanguinetti: “Let’s roll our sleeves and respond to the call of the Roman Pontiff.”[4]

The “Prayer Groups” were thus born.[5]

Padre Donato

August 7-15, 1941 canonical visit of Padre Donato da Welle, superior general of Capuchin order. He reported in his testimony: “I have been profoundly impressed by the way that Padre Pio practices the virtues.”[6]

Maria Jose’

On April 12, 1942 princess Maria Jose’ visited the friars in the convent and Padre Pio.[7]

American GIs

On January 6, 1945 Padre Pio celebrated a High Mass, sung by American soldiers, as reported in the Chronicle of the convent. [8]

Pia Pennelli

After his wife’s death, Padre Pio’s brother Michele moved to San Giovanni Rotondo with his daughter Pia. She, in a ceremony attended by many American servicemen, was married in May 1945, with her uncle officiating, to Mario Pennelli, a teacher. Pia and Mario were to raise a family of eight children, which Padre Pio considered an ideal size for a family. He used to tell newlywed couples: “May you have eight children.” [9]   Padre Pio himself was the fourth of eight children. [10]

Michele Forgione died at the home of Mary Pyle, assisted by Padre Pio, on May 9, 1967, at the age of 85. [11][12]

Zi’ Grazio

On October 7, 1946 Padre Pio’s father dies, at the home of Mary Pyle, comforted by his son.[13]

Casa Sollievo

May 19, 1947: Lying of the first stone and steady work begins for the construction of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza “Home for the Relief of suffering”.

Holy Family

July 6, 1947 opens the Capuchin convent in Pietrelcina, financed by the American heiress Mary Pyle.[14]

Reservations

      January 7, 1950 starts “reservation” for confession of women.

Casa Sollievo

In 1951 the construction of the imposing Casa Sollievo was going strong. Money was not a problem. The offerings were pouring in from all over the world. A new war started for the management of the Casa, possibly to snatch it from the hands of Padre Pio.[15]

Pepe and Caronti

Holy Officès building

  Mons. Giovanni Pepe        Abbot E. Caronti

Abbot Caronti in 1946, Apostolic Visitor for the "Sons of the Divine Providence" founded by St. Giovanni Orione

On December 31, 1951. Mons. Giovanni Pepe, and the Benedictine abbot Emanuele Caronti were sent by the Holy Office to investigate.”[16]  [17]

Padre Angelo

On January 16, 1952  the minister general of the Capuchin order, Padre Benigno da Sant’Ilario Milanese, also sent Padre Angelo da Genova for an investigation.”[18]  [19]

Padre Benigno

On July 6, 1952 Padre Benigno went personally to San Giovanni Rotondo, ordering to discourage pilgrimages to the convent, and to not diffuse cards with the image of Padre Pio.[20]

Index

On July 30, 1952 the Holy Office emanated a decree where eight publications about Padre Pio were put in the Index of Forbidden Books, and on August 3, L’Osservatore Romano, explained that the publications lacked the necessary ecclesiastical revision and approval.[21]

However, pope Pius XII had not been informed about it. When he was told about it, the officer who had written the decree was fired, and the decree was not implemented. At the same time the Holy Office received a letter signed by Mons. Angelo Dell’Acqua, from the secretary of state of the pope, stating the Padre Pio “had to be left undisturbed, to exercise his priestly ministry.”[22]

50^th anniversary

On January 22, 1953, Padre Pio celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his entrance in the Capuchin order. The community of friars assembled in the refectory and from there led Padre Pio in procession to the church, singing Psalm 121 “Laetatus sum”.

At the altar, Padre Antonino da Sant’Elia a Pianisi, provincial superior, delivered a short address, and received the renewal of the votes from Padre Pio. Padre Pio then celebrated a solemn high Mass. In the afternoon there was a thanksgiving service, were the famous tenor Beniamino Gigli also sung.

Handwritten prayer card by Padre Pio for his 50th anniversary

Padre Pio wrote for his souvenir prayer card:

“Fifty years of religious life, fifty years nailed to the cross, fifty years of devouring fire: for you, o Lord, for your redeemed. My soul nothing else desires than bringing all of them to you and patiently wait that this devouring fire burns all myself in the desire of dying.”[23]

Prayer card

 Printed version

Social activity

During the pontificate of Pius XII Padre Pio had the needed freedom to implement important social initiatives.[24]

X-Rays

Palm left hand    Back left hand     Palm right hand  Back right hand

  Feet

In 1954 Padre Pio had not been feeling well, with respiratory problems. Prof. Francesco Lotti testified: “On October 13, 1954, with the superior of the convent Padre Carmelo da Sessano, we took Padre Pio to the radiology department of Casa Sollievo to have an x-ray of the head and chest done. By disposition of Padre Carmelo, and without Padre Pio knowing it, we did also radiographs of hands and feet. I was told by the radiologist that there was absolutely nothing abnormal at the level of the metacarpal and metatarsal areas.” (Gerardo, Le Stigmate 1985, 300-3) (Ger85, Appendice fotografica, 17-21)  

The radiologist was Dr. Alberto Caserta from Foggia. At that time the hospital did not have the own equipment started yet, and Dr. Caserta worked from his private office in Foggia.

Coop

In December 1955 opened the coop “Cooperativa San Francesco”, strongly wanted by Padre Pio to allow the town’s folks to buy food and other items at reasonable price.[25] 

Grand Opening

May 5, 1956 grand opening of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Home for the relief of Suffering.

St. Mary of the Graces

Mons. Paolo Carta   and Mons. Zohrabian

On July 2, 1956 Padre Pio blessed the cornerstone of the new church of St. Mary of Graces. The new church was consecrated by Bishop Paolo Carta, bishop of Foggia, and the Capuchin Mons. Cirillo Giovanni Zohrabian, bishop of Acilisene, on July 1, 1959.[26]

Complex

On December 17, 1957 was opened in San Giovanni Rotondo a new subdivision in Rione Santa Croce that included a church, a preschool, and a vocational center for girls wanting to learn sewing and embroidering. The complex was managed by Franciscan sisters. In  the same time frame, another preschool was opened in “Rione Sant’Onofrio that Padre Pio dedicate to “San Francesco d’Assisi”. It was managed by the Capuchin sisters of the Sacred Heart. An orphanage was also opened in the area.[27]

Vocational center

On January 26, 1958 was inaugurated The Vocational Center “San Giuseppe Artigiano”, for youngsters wanting to learn a trade.[28]

Ciccone and St. Francis hall

    St. Francis fresco by Antonio Ciccone.  

     Antonio conversing in the hallway, and praying with Padre Pio

In December 1958, Giuseppe Gentile, the architect of the new church of Santa Maria delle Grazie commissioned a fresco depicting Saint Francis to Antonio Ciccone. The location was a large space between the new church and the hallway with the cells of the friars. Antonio started working in the spring of 1959m and the fresco was completed on May 14, 1959. He lived in the convent during those months, and had the possibility to be in contact with Padre Pio all day long.[29]

Antonio Ciccone was raised on the family farm on the Pataridde (Patariello) area, behind the Capuchin convent in San Giovanni Rotondo.[30]

 St. Mary of the Graces

On July 1, 1959 took place the Consecration of the new church Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Mons. Zohrabian actually consecrating the new church

Giuffre’

Giambattista Giuffrè

In the sixties the very success of Casa Sollievo gave Padre Pio major difficulties. The steady pouring of contributions became a source of contention in the Capuchin Order.

The Capuchins had fallen prey of the pyramid scheme financier Giambattista Giuffre’. The so called “God’s Banker’ gave interests from 30% to as high as 90%. The Capuchins, like many others, invested large sums of money with Giuffre’. Padre Pio, who had the ultimate administrative control over the funds, was approached by Capuchin functionaries, and asked to invest. Padre Pio refused. In the summer of 1958 Giuffre’ declared bankruptcy. The Capuchins faced an economic disaster.

They approached Padre Pio once again, and he once again refused to give the money donated to “Casa Sollievo’. At that point a plan emerged to take control of the hospital from Padre Pio, accusing him of being a poor administrator, disobedient, and morally unfit.[31]

The plan included bugging the convent with tape recorders and microphones, in order to get confidential financial information especially from the administrator of Casa Sollievo Angelo Battisti, and to document inappropriate behavior between Padre Pio and his spiritual daughters. [32]

Padre Bonaventura

Padre Bonaventura da Pavullo

In February 1960, Cardinal Ottaviani, secretary of the Holy Office, sent Padre Bonaventura da Pavullo to investigate some rumors that had reached the Holy Office. His report on April 13, 1960, was negative towards Commendator “Angelo Battisti, administrator of Casa Sollievo”, and also negative towards “three pious women having a damaging influence on Padre Pio.” [33] The report also said positive words about Padre Pio “honest, simple delicate; doing a bundersome and precious spiritual work.”[34]

Crovini

Mons. Mario Crovini (center)

On March 12, 1960 the Holy Office sent Mons. Mario Crovini “to talk to Padre Pio, and ask if there are any inconveniences going on, and for his suggestion on how to fix them.” Mons. Crovini went privately to San Giovanni Rotondo On April 20, 1960, with the excuse of personal medical tests to be done at Casa Sollievo. He stayed two days. He had long conversations with Padre Pio. The friars had a hostile behavior towards Mons. Crovini.[35] [36]

Clemente

Padre Clemente da Milwaukee

On April 14, 1960 the superior general Padre Clemente da Milwaukee sent a letter to the Pope asking for an Apostolic Visitation to fix “grave problems with the administration of Casa Sollievo”, and also “spiritual questions.”[37] [38]

Padre Clemente: “Just like any other individual religious Padre Pio had a vow of poverty. Pope Pius XII did not dispense Padre Pio from the wow in general, But the Pope Pius XII said: “You can do everything with the total income of Casa Sollievo.” Therefore Padre Pio was always under the vow of poverty, and at the same time he could dispose of the hospital funds and goods as he saw fit. The only suspension from the vow of poverty pertained to the hospital Casa Sollievo.”[39]

Microphones

On May 11, 1960 the first microphone was installed on the internal window separating the convent from the visitor’s room. The conversation between Padre Pio and his spiritual daughter Cleonice Morcaldi was recorded. Padre Giustino and fra Masseo, listening to the recording thought to hear “tender expressions” and “a kiss”. [40]

The Holy Office was informed, and the tape brought to the Vatican. The tape was reheard in the Holy Office, and Padre Giustino was summoned to the Holy Office “to better interpret the words pronounced in Neapolitan dialect”.[41] [42]

Padre Amedeo da San Giovanni Rotondo who heard the tape with don Terenzi reported: “The voice recorded was so faint that I could catch only few words, and never a complete sentence. And I paid attention but didn’t hear any smacking of a kiss.”[43]

The newlywed bride Pia Pennelli gives a smacking kiss to the hand of her uncle Padre Pio

Smacking kisses of Padre Pio's hand 

The famed neapolitan singer Furio Rendine kissing with a smack Padre Pio's hand in 1962

A girl who has just received the First Communion kisses with a smack the hand of Padre Pio

Carmelina Miglionico from San Giovanni Rotondo, giving a smacking kiss to Padre Pio's hand on her wedding day, June 28, 1962

The room of the convent with the window connecting to the non cloistered area

Mons. Crovini: “Whoever has seen the window between the two rooms understands how impossible is to join cheeks and give kisses.”[44]

The other microphones were placed in Padre Pio’s cell, and also in the confessional. [45] [46] The placement in

the confessional is denied  by some historians.[47]

Thirty six tapes were made during a three months period. [48]

Padre Pio discovered himself a microphone under his bed, with the wire passing through the wall of his cell, to the cell of Padre Giustino. He cut the wire with a pocket knife.[49]

When Padre Pio discovered the wires he told it to his friend Francesco Morcaldi. Morcaldi leaked the story to the press.[50]

Padre Pio said to bishop Cesarano: “My own brethren are doing this to me.”[51]

Padre Paolino told a friend: “We are terrified by these events. We cannot, however, deny the facts.”[52]

Mons. Crovini wrote a letter to the Pope about the microphones. John XXIII ordered the apostolic visitor to have the removed immediately.”[53]

Donations

The dispute over the handling of the donations to “Casa Sollievo” continued, and there were complaints that the money was not handed over for the purpose designated by the donors.”[54]

There were also complaints of dissents among the friars, and ongoing problems of fanatic disciples.[55]

Pope John XXIII decided to address the concerns by sending an Apostolic Visitor.

Maccari

Mons. Maccari

On July 30, 1960 Mons. Maccari went to the convent accompanied by don Giovanni Barberini.[56]

From the start he treated with arrogance the provincial superior Padre Amedeo.[57]

He let people known that they had to “enter in order and silence” in the church at 4:30 AM, to assist to Padre Pio’s Mass.[58]

He ordered that the reservations for the confessions be handled exclusively by a friar.[59]

He also disposed that at confession time, only the women with a reservation could enter and stay in the little church; that the two churches be separated by an iron gate; that all the recording gear be removed.[60]

The confessions had to last no more than three minutes, or the person will be removed even before the absolution.

Concerning “Casa Sollievo” Mons Maccari appeared a bit biased, alleging “illicit enrichment of some staffers,” without examining the books.[61]

Mons. Barberini, the secretary of Mons. Maccari, prohibited the community from helping Padre Pio. He was denied help in going up and down stairs. One day Padre Pio fell going down the narrow staircase which joined the big choir to the small choir. He was left to pick himself up as best as he could.[62]

50^th anniversary

50th

August 10, 1960: 50^th anniversary of Padre Pio’s ordination to priesthood: sober celebration among many faithful.[63] Maccari and Barberini had left the convent on August 6. They returned on August 13, 1960.[64]

Padre Pio had expressed the desire that Padre Raffaele make the speech, as he had done fifty years before. The wish was denied, and Padre Amedeo did the talk. And there wasn’t the customary Apostolic Benediction.”[65]

Before leaving Maccari had given disposition that the anniversary be celebrated with the very minimum of pomp.[66]

Gherardo Leone: “The celebration has been simple and spontaneous. It has had two leading characters: Padre Pio and the crowds. Or better, only one: Padre Pio surrounded, encircled, besieged by the enormous choral mass of people.”[67]

 On November 3, 1960 Mons. Maccari gave his 208 pages written report to the Holy Office. [68]

 Some pearls: “It is a real business surrounding the first priest with the wounds. It thrives on the ignorance of every social class, exploiting the ingenuous credulity, oscillating between superstition and magic, in an atmosphere of fake supernatural. It is not true that the main person in all this is completely in the dark about this colossal machinery.”[69] [70]

Maccari made some proposals such as removing the fixed time of the Mass, prohibit bishops and priests from serving the Mass, and keep a strict discipline for the confessions; and gradually substituting all the friars with friars from other provinces.[71]

On December 14, 1960, the Holy Office, fulfilling the recommendations by Mons. Maccari, ordered that Padre Pio could not talk alone to women, that a new provincial be named, and remove and substitute gradually all the friars.[72]

Padre Paul-Pierre Philippe

Future Cardinal Mons. Paul-Pierre Philippe

On February 1, 1961, the Holy Office delegated one of his consultants for a mission “top secret” to directly confront Padre Pio about “the pending against him in the Holy Office. Padre Paul-Pierre Philippe, a Dominican friar,  talked to Padre Pio on February 22, 1961.[73] Padre Paul-Pierre Philippe, was later elected cardinal.

Confronted about the accusation of immorality, Padre Pio stated: “It is not true. Absolutely not true. I never kissed a woman. I tell you in front of the Lord that I never wanted to kiss my mother. I made her cry because I did not return her kisses. I thought it was wrong.”[74]

Padre Philippe left the same day, and wrote in his report that he had not been able to convince Padre Pio “of his wrong behavior and of the need to change.” [75]

He continued: “Padre Pio appeared to me as a man of limited intelligence, very astute and obstinate; a smart peasant who has no will to change. Padre Pio passed inadvertently from minor gesture of affection to graver actions, up to the carnal act. And now, after so many years of a sacrilegious life, maybe he doesn’t realize the gravity of the wrongdoing. This is the story of all the fake mystics who fell to erotism. Padre Pio is the most colossal fraud ever found in the history of the Church.” [76]

He recommended: “Suspension of confessions and Mass, and transfer as soon possible to a faraway convent.”[77] [78]

Cesarano

Mons. Andrea Cesarano enters Manfredonia in 1931

On April 18, 1961 Mons. Andrea Cesarano, bishop of Manfredonia, visited Pope John XXIII. They were longtime friends. The Pope asked about “the women, the recordings. They have even recorded kisses.”[79]

Mons. Cesarano:”Please, don Angelo, Padre Pio is an Apostle who does an immense good for the souls. I know him since 1933. He is a saint. Those kisses are not sinful. Let me explain.” [80]

Mons. Cesarano reported that when his sister accompanied him to the convent, she would grab Padre Pio’s hand and kiss it, and kiss it again, and squeeze it, despite the complaint by Padre Pio that it was very painful because of the wounds.[81]

Pope John raised his sight to heaven and said: “Glory to God.! You are giving me a great comfort. What a relief.”[82]

Later the Pope stated: “On Padre Pio, they fooled me.”[83]

After John XXIIIs death, Eng. Pietro Gasparri confessed to Padre Pio that he had thoughts that the Pope had persecuted Padre Pio. Padre Pio: “Pope John XXIII went straight to Heaven.”[84]

Holy Office

On April 19, 1961 in a meeting of the Holy Office it was decided not to accept the recommendations of Philippe, and to continue with the restrictions of Maccari.[85]

Restrictions

In 1961-4 the restrictions imposed by the Holy Office on Padre Pio and the convent continued to be strictly implemented by the superior of the community Padre Rosario da Aliminusa.[86]

Rosary

On January 20, 1962. Because of poor sight the Office is commuted with complete Rosary.

Montini

On June 3, 1963 Pope John XXIII died. The friars kept pestering Padre Pio about the Conclave, until he said: “It’s going to be Montini. Now will you be quiet?” On June 23, 1963 Montini was elected Pope Paul VI.[87]

In 1959 Card. Montini of Milan gave to Alberto Galletti a message for Padre Pio, asking for particular prayers. Padre Pio told Alberto that he promised fervent prayers, and also told Alberto to inform that he would be elected pope, adding: “Do you understand what you are to tell him? Tell him so because he must get ready.” Card. Montini was taken by surprise, and told Alberto: “Oh! The strange notions of the saints!”[88] [89]

Paul VI

Pope Paul VI

 On  June 21, 1963 the new pope Paul VI was elected.

Padre Clemente was a consultant of the Holy Office and of the Congregation for Religious. He reported: “Paul VI gave me this order: “Liberate Padre Pio from those restrictions.” Then he said: “You of the Holy Office leave Padre Pio free to confess. Don’t confine him like a criminal.”[90]

Full freedom

Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani

On January 30, 1964 cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani, secretary of the Holy Office, conveyed to Padre Clemente da Santa Maria in Punta, apostolic administrator of the capuchin province of Foggia, the disposition from the new pope Paul VI: “The Holy Father wants that Padre Pio exercises his ministry in full freedom. “Padre Clemente went to San Giovanni Rotondo and removed all the restrictions imposed on Padre Pio by the Holy Office.[91]

Condemnation

Holy Office

The condemnations of Padre Pio by the Holy Office have never been revoked.[92]

Freedom

Padre Carmelo da S. Giovanni in Galdo

On December 16, 1964, Padre Pio signed a declaration  as requested by the superior, Padre Carmelo da San Giovanni in Galdo: “For quite some time news have been published in the press on my situation, as I was the object of persecution by the ecclesiastical authority. In the presence of God I feel the need and the duty to deplore those news as false, and to declare that I enjoy freedom in my ministry and I don’t have enemies and persecutors. I can publicly affirm that I find in the superiors of my Order, and in the authority of the Church comprehension, comfort, and protection. And I don’t need other defenders besides God and his legitimate representatives.”[93]

Obedience

On February 12, 1965 Cardinal Ottaviani, by disposition of Pope Paul VI, told Padre Clemente da Santa Maria in Punta that “from now on the had to deal with Padre Pio as he was not bound by the wow of obedience.” Thus was totally eliminated any form of restriction.[94]

Vatican II

The Ecumenical Council Vatican II opened on October 11, 1962. It was closed on December 8, 1965.During the Council several bishops went to the convent and visited with Padre Pio.

Mass in Latin

Used by Padre Pio

On February 17, 1965 Padre Pio got a dispensation to continue to say Mass in Latin.[95]

Dr. Sala

Dr. Giuseppe Sala

In 1965 Padre Pio was assigned dr. Giuseppe Sala as personal physician.[96]

50th

On July 28, 1966 the town celebrated the 50^th anniversary of Padre Pio’s move to San Giovanni Rotondo. A marble sign on the front  side of the church remembers the event. The town also issued a commemorative coin in bronze, silver and gold.[97]

Marble plaque on the front wall of St. Mary's church, by the City Administration, to celebrate the event.

60th

Cardinal Amleto Cicognani

On Sunday January 26, 1967 Padre Pio celebrated the 60^th anniversary of the permanent wows. Pope Paul VI, through Cardinal Cicognani congratulated Padre Pio and authorized him to give a special blessing to the faithful.[98]

Sitting

November 21, 1966: may celebrate sitting in public.[99]

Padre Raffaele

From March 1966 through April 1967, by disposition of Padre Clemente da Santa Maria in Punta, Padre Pio was submitted to formal interrogations by Padre Raffaele da Sant’Elia a Pianisi. The six sessions regarded mostly the events of the first invisible wounds in 1910.[100]

Michele Forgione

On May 9, 1967: Michele Forgione, Padre Pio’s brother dies at age 85. He had been living in San Giovanni Rotondo at the home of his daughter Pia, married to Mario Pennelli. Padre Pio comforted him.[101]

Prayer groups

On May 25, 1967, an immense crowd gathered to celebrate Padre Pio’s birthday. There was also the International Convention of the prayer groups. Padre Pio was ill and greeted the crowds from the window with his famous oversized handkerchief.[102]

 A telegram from the Vatican was received, allowing Padre Pio to give on his birthday a special blessing to the faithful, with a plenary indulgence for the occasion .

Confessions

In 1967, last full year of activity, Padre Pio confessed about 25 thousand people. That is an average of seventy people per day, as from the book of reservations.[103]

Wheelchair

On March 29, 1968 Padre Pio starts using the wheelchair.[104]

Mary Pyle

April 26, 1968 Mary Pyle dies in Casa Sollievo.[105]

Anniversaries

May 25, was Padre Pio’s birthday. August 10, was the anniversary of his ordination to priesthood. September 20, 1968 was celebrated the 50^th anniversary of (visible) wounds. Again immense crowds gathered to honor Padre Pio. [106]

Letter

On September 12, 1968 in a letter sent by Padre Pio 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 lifè) and confirm my faiths and my unconditional obedience."[107]

Stigmata

September 20, 1968:  50^th anniversary of (visible) wounds.

Convention

Sunday September 22, 1968, the last full day in the life of Padre Pio, started in San Giovanni Rotondo the Fourth International Convention of the Prayer Groups. 

On Monday September 23, 1968 at 2:30 AM Padre Pio died.

 St. Mary of Graces church when the news spread of Padre Pio's death.