The church of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
The starting point for all pilgrimages is the new church dedicated to St. Pio, which is only 250 meters from Hotel Immagine.
The entire structure was commissioned by the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor of the province of Foggia from the famous architect Renzo Piano.
The church was built to accommodate the millions of pilgrims who flocked to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and to celebrate the greatness of the saint with the stigmata.
Construction began in 1994 and was completed ten years later on July 1, 2004.
The extraordinary work covers an area of 9,200 square meters, 7,000 seats inside, and the churchyard can accommodate more than 30,000 worshippers.
From their first entry into the church, visitors are enraptured and stunned by the grandeur of this work.
At the ‘entrance one can admire a gigantic stone cross that represents the travail of St. Pio, who received the cross of the stigmata, just like Jesus, but also his victory in the battle against evil and against the Devil himself with whom several times the friar engaged in a very hard struggle.
The Cross is 40 meters high formed of 56 stone blocks in the vertical part and 14 in the horizontal part.
Its particular conformation involves a wide base that narrows upward to give the ‘work a sense of immensity and infinity.
Moving your gaze around you can admire 21 stone arches that starting from the ‘altar extend in a radius with decreasing size and light.
The altar was made in a lower position than the worshippers, signifying God’s presence on earth, while the large gilded bronze cross is illuminated thanks to a cone of light filtering through the roof above.
Not only Renzo Piano contributed to the construction, but also famous artists such as Giuliano Vangi, Domenico Palladino and Arnaldo Pomodoro who created sculptures and sacred furnishings.
An evocative place to begin one’s journey of discovery of the Padre Pio Shrine.
The church Santa Marie delle Grazie
The church, designed by architect Giuseppe Gentile, was inaugurated in 1959.
Forty-five years later another church was built a short distance away, merging with the older one and dedicated to Padre Pio.
The striking old church features a beautiful mosaic depicting Our Lady of Grace, Padre Pio and an angel reclining on clouds.
Enchanting are the richly decorated stained glass windows and precious marbles that adorn the aisles and altar.
But the real treasure is on the lower level where, in a crypt, the remains of St. Pio of Pietrelcina are kept.
The original small church
Also part of the Padre Pio Sanctuary complex is the small convent next to the chisa Santa Maria delle Grazie, built back in 1538 at the behest of Pope Julius II.
In 1540 the institute was entrusted to the Capuchin Friars, who with great effort and dedication finished the construction of the church.
With the advent of the Risorgimento, in 1811, they had to abandon the complex only to return in 1909 when the mayor of San Giovanni Rotondo finally handed the convent back to the Capuchin friars.
Their future, however-and that of the entire town-would change shortly thereafter, in 1916, with the arrival of a very young priest named Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.
The body of Padre Pio
The saint’s remains are displayed in the crypt of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Here one can admire the Saint’s body kept in a glass case, with his face covered by a mask that perfectly reproduces his features.
The clothes worn are the original ones, particularly the stockings and half-gloves that St. Pio used to protect the stigmata and kept inside his cell.
The habit, on the other hand, was handmade by the cloistered nuns of the Resurrection monastery in San Giovanni Rotondo and donated to the saint.
San Giovanni Rotondo Hospital
It is a grandiose work strongly desired by Padre Pio created to give relief to all those sick faithful who daily contacted the friar through letters or came to San Giovanni Rotondo in the hope of finding help.
On the evening of January 9, 1940, Padre Pio, in his small cell, expressed his desire to create a facility that would alleviate the suffering of so many sick people, and so, with the help of his spiritual children, he was able to realize the ambitious project of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital.
It was Padre Pio himself, On May 5, 1956, who celebrated the mass that inaugurated the hospital.
Today this modern, state-of-the-art facility is a true landmark in health care in southern Italy and a model for hospitals around the world.
Padre Pio’s Cell
One of these is his cell in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Here the saint conceived his most charitable ideas such as that of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital; here he breathed his last and it was here that he engaged in a struggle against the devil who subjected him to constant temptations.
The environment is humble but still surrounded by the spirit and greatness of the saint.
We find a small table above which Padre Pio rested the half-gloves that covered his stigmata, laid on wood, some spiritual reading books and a handkerchief that the saint used to bless the faithful from the window.
Suggestive is the kneeler on which St. Pio spent hours praying and suffering, but also the small armchair, where the friar would lie down when his sufferings were too strong and overwhelmed him.
Even today on the table can be seen a rosary beads and a small box of confetti that the friar used to give to children.
The monument to Padre Pio
It is a statue created by Pericle Fazzini and is of great visual and emotional effect.
The work is located in Padre Pio Square and was unveiled on July 28, 1897 , the year in which the centenary of the saint’s birth was celebrated and the anniversary of his arrival at the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent.
In the sculpture, Padre Pio wears a priest’s habit and stole with his arms and face turned in the direction of Christ.
At his feet, clouds push him upward in a motion of ascension and glorification made all the more real by the movement of the robes.
In the voids, visitors can make out the six profiles of St. Pio.
The first two profiles of the head depict the strength, suffering, and at the same time the joy with which the friar always dedicated himself to his neighbor; in the others, Padre Pio appears in prayer and recollection with his hands on his chest, his rosary beads, or with his arms reaching toward heaven.
The voids represent the so-called phenomenon of bilocation, which occurred whenever Padre Pio was in different places at the same time without ever having left his cell; a prodigy witnessed by so many people that once again represents the friar’s exceptionality.
Different episodes of his human journey and spiritual life are depicted in the monument.
In the former, Padre Pio chases one of his villagers with a pitchfork after the latter had suggested that he leave the order of friars and marry a girl to cure his illnesses; in the latter, he is depicted mind fighting against the devil and facing the torments and temptations of the evil one, winning his battle; in the latter, he forgives the sins of the faithful and raises his arms before the Crucifix accepting the stigmata from God.
The Padre Pio Wax Museum
To learn about the daily life of Padre Pio and retrace his extraordinary existence, the ideal place is the Padre Pio Wax Museum where, in great detail, the life and works of the Saint have been reconstructed through scenes.
The facility is located in the historic center of San Giovanni Rotondo, in the Morcaldi Palace.
Inside the museum, the scenes are ordered according to a temporal succession and consist of precise sets and settings rich in details and life-size wax statues.
Maria Pyle House
It is Casa Maria Pyle named after Adelia Maria Pyle, a wealthy landowner called the “American Miss” who came from the United States to San Giovanni Rotondo with the dream of meeting the saint.
The meeting finally came on the morning of October 4, 1923 when she met Padre Pio in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
From then on, the saint became her spiritual father and she built The House of Charity near the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where she would welcome the poor and destitute.
Important dates to remember
1887 May 25 He is born in Pietrelcina (Benevento).
May 26 He is baptized in the church of Sant’Anna 1903 January 6 He goes to Morcone (Benevento) to begin his novitiate among the Capuchins.
January 22 He puts on the “robes of probation” and becomes Brother Pio of Pietrelcina. 1904 January 22 He makes profession of simple vows.
January 25 Moves to S. Elia a Pianisi (Campobasso) to begin “rectorship.” 1907 January 27 He makes profession of solemn vows.
Late October At Serracapriola (Foggia) to begin the study of sacred theology. 1908 late November At Montefusco (Avellino) to study sacred theology.
December 19 Receives minor orders at Benevento.
December 21 Becomes subdeacon of Benevento. 1909 Early months Ill, returns to Pietrelcina.
July 18 Receives the order of diaconate in the convent church at Morcone. 1910 August 10 Priestly ordination in the sacellum of the canons of Benevento cathedral.
August 14 First solemn Mass at Pietrelcina in the Mother Church.
First apparitions of the stigmata under the elm tree at Piana Romana. 1916 February 17 In Foggia in the convent of S. Anna.
September 4 Arrival S. Giovanni Rotondo.
December 18 Returns to the military corps in Naples.
Licenses and recalls until March 16, 1918. 1918 March 16 Reformed for “double bronchoalveolitis” returns to S. Giovanni Rotondo.
August 5-7 Transverberation.
September 20 Stigmatization. 1919 May 15-16 Luigi Romanelli, first physician to visit Padre Pio after Stigmatization .
July 26 Medical report of Amico Bignami.
October 9 Medical visitation of Giorgio Festa. 1923 May 31 The Holy Office, after an ‘inquiry, decrees the non-constitution of the “supernaturalness of the facts attributed to Padre Pio.” 1924 June 17 Other orders: Padre Pio celebrates in the convent’s inner chapel without an audience and does not respond for himself or others to letters addressed to him June 26 Causes popular uprising, celebrates in church again.
Aug. 9 He learns of order to move to Ancona, available. August 17 Due to popular unrest, removal is postponed. 1929 January 3 Mother dies at S. Giovanni Rotondo. 1931 May 23 He is deprived of all exercise of ministry except Mass, which he can celebrate only in the convent’s inner chapel and privately. 1933 July 16 Comes down to celebrate Mass in the church. 1934 March 25 Resumes hearing men’s confessions.
May 12 Resumes hearing women’s confessions. 1946 July 16 Father dies at S. Giovanni Rotondo. 1947 May 19 Beginning of spiano work for the construction of the “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”. 1955 January 31 First pick for the new convent church. 1956 May 5 Inauguration of the “Relief of Suffering House.” 1959 July 1 Consecration of the new church.
August 7 Prodigious healing of Fr. 1965 January 17 Can continue to say Mass in Latin. 1966 November 21 Can continue to celebrate in public, seated. 1968 March 29 He begins to use a wheelchair, because his legs cannot feel.
September 12 Padre Pio writes to Pope Paul VI. September 22 At 05.00 his last Mass.
At 18.00 his last blessing to the crowd in the church.
Sept. 23 At 02:30 Padre Pio, having received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, dies peacefully with the rosary beads in his hand and “Jesus!…Mary!…” on his lips. September 26 The funeral of Padre Pio takes place.
1969 November 4 Treatment of the Cause for his beatification and canonization begins.
1980 March 3 The same Archbishop delivers further documentation to the aforementioned Congregation in order to obtain the desired nulla osta.
1983 March 20 Official opening of the Cognizational Process on the life and virtues of the servant of God, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.
1987 March 23 Pastoral visit to San Giovanni Rotondo by Holy Father John Paul II, who kneels and prays at the tomb of Padre Pio.
1995 January/November With the collaboration of three able scholars, Fra Gerardo Di Flumeri prepares the “Positio”; the 104 volumes of the diocesan process are reduced to 4 volumes in 6 tomes for a total of about 7000 pages.
1996 April Fra Gerardo is in Salerno to gather documentation regarding a prodigious healing attributed to the intercession of Padre Pio.
This is the healing of Mrs. Consiglia De Martino from a traumatic rupture of the thoracic duct in her neck, which occurred on November 1-6, 1995, in Salerno Hospital.
Nov. 5 Postulator General Fra Paolino Rossi delivers the 6 tomes of the “Positio” to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
December 16 The 6 tomes of the “Positio” are entrusted to the Theological Consultors for an opinion on the heroicity of Padre Pio’s virtues. 1997 June 13 The 9 Theological Consultors meet in special congress and unanimously, nine out of nine, give a favorable opinion on the heroicity of Padre Pio’s virtues.
October 21 The Commission of Cardinals also unanimously expresses a favorable opinion on the heroicity of the virtues of the venerated Father.
Dec. 18 In the Consistory Hall at the Vatican, in the presence of Pope John Paul II, the decree on the heroicity of Padre Pio’s virtues is read and he acquires the title “Venerable.” 1998 January At the Congregation for the Causes of Saints begins the “super miro” study, that is, on the prodigious healing of Mrs. Consiglia De Martino.
April 30 The Medical Consultation of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints examines the healing of Mrs. Consiglia De Martino from “traumatic rupture of the thoracic duct in the neck,” which occurred on November 3, 1995, and, in a unanimous opinion (5 out of 5) judges it “scientifically inexplicable.”
June 22 The Theological Commission, composed of the Promoter General of the Faith and six theological consultants, examines the same extraordinary event and, after careful discussion, expresses itself with a clear affirmative (7 out of 7), qualifying it as a third degree miracle or quoad modum.
Oct. 20 Most Excellent Msgr. Andrea M. Erba, bishop of Velletri-Segni, the Ordinary Congregation of the Most Eminent Fathers Cardinals and Bishops, members of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints, meets for the examination of the miracle attributed to the intercession of Padre Pio.
The opinion is favorable.
Dec. 21 In the Consistory Hall, Vatican, in the presence of the Holy Father John Paul II, the Decree on the miracle, attributed to the intercession of Padre Pio, is promulgated. On the same day, the date for the Beatification of the Venerable Servant of God is set for Sunday, May 2, 1999. 1999 May 2 In St. Peter’s Square, amid the exultation of millions of faithful, Supreme Pontiff John Paul II proclaims Venerable Servant of God Padre Pio of Pietrelcina Blessed. 2000 Jan. 20 While at school 7-year-old Matteo Pio Colella falls ill. In the evening he was admitted to Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, where he was diagnosed with “Hyperacute Meningitis in septicemic form with a multi-organ functional failure.” Late in the evening he was transferred to intensive care. January 21 Baby Matthew is incubated and placed on assisted breathing. The clinical picture precipitates. The prognosis is ominous. The mother prays and asks for prayers. Around 11 a.m., against all medical predictions, the child’s condition began to improve. Jan. 31 The recovery becomes rapid. Feb. 6 Matteo Pio Colella is discharged fully recovered. June 11 Canonical Trial for the collection of documents and testimonies on the recovery of Matteo Pio Colella opens at the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Manfredonia – Vieste. 2001 October 17 The Canonical Process closes. Oct. 23 Father Gerardo di Flumeri delivers documentation to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Nov. 22 The Medical Council of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints unanimously acknowledges that the healing was “rapid, complete, lasting, without after-effects and scientifically unexplained.” Dec. 11 A Peculiar Congress of Theological Consultors of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints is held, which unanimously evaluates the healing as a “grade III miracle.” Dec. 18 The Ordinary Session of the Cardinals and Bishops of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints is held, confirming the judgment of the Theologians. Dec. 20 In the Consistory Hall, Vatican, in the presence of the Holy Father John Paul II, the decree on the miracle, attributed to the intercession of Blessed Padre Pio, is promulgated. 2002 Feb. 26 At an ordinary consistory, the date for the Blessed’s canonization is set for Sunday, June 16, 2002. June 16 In St. Peter’s Square, Supreme Pontiff John Paul II proclaims Blessed Padre Pio of Pietrelcina a saint and establishes his liturgical memory with the degree of “obligatory,” for Sept. 23, “the day of his birth into heaven.” 2004 July 1 Inauguration of the large new church in S. Giovanni Rotondo designed by Renzo Piano.
