Saint Padre Pio

Today is the feast of one of my favorite saints, Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. He is truly a saint for our time, being born in 1887 and passing to eternal life in
1968. He is known the world over and his intercessions are well documented. I like the line that he would use, probably on numerous occasions, "I only want to be a poor friar who prays" (Magnificat, 307). However, Padre Pio was sought out for being a dynamic confessor and spiritual adviser. He had a great love for the Eucharist and it showed by how he presided at Mass. His Masses would last several hours because he truly put his whole life, heart, and soul into the celebration of the Holy Mass. What also set him apart was the fact that he lived with the stigmatas, the wounds of Christ. Recently, I purchased a new icon of Saint Padre Pio and it reads very simply, "Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry!" Words that we can all live by and what a wonderful saint we have for today. Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Pray for us!!! Have a blessed day!!!