Saint Pio (Padre Pio), 1887–1968
September 23

Saint Padre Pio was born in Italy. His parents were farmers. At age 15, he began studying to become a Capuchin priest. He took the name Pio in honor of Pope Saint Pius V. Padre Pio knew that confession was very important. He said that going to confession was like dusting the soul. He heard the confessions of people who traveled from all over. He helped them feel God’s mercy and forgiveness. Padre Pio was known for having the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ. He would tell people: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

Discuss: When have you felt God’s mercy?

Saint Pio was often ill with headaches, fever, asthma, and ulcers. Even though he experienced a lot of physical pain of his own, Saint Pio knew that we must all do our best to help other people who are suffering. He built a Home to Relieve Suffering at San Giovanni Rotondo to take care of others. 

Saint Pio is the patron of civil defense volunteers and Catholic adolescents. When he was a boy, Saint Pio was a shepherd.

Activity
Mercy Acrostic
Verbal/Linguistic

Have the child do a word puzzle that will help them think about the many facets of mercy.

• Have them write the word Mercy vertically.
• Then ask them to find a word that describes mercy.
• They should find a word that begins with each letter in the word.

M
E
R
C
Y