MANILA, Philippines ? A recent EWTN feature reminded Christians to ponder on the virtuous life of St. Pio, whose feast day fell on September 23. Known as the greatest mystic of the last century, who bore Christ?s five wounds (or stigmata), St. Pio of Pietrelcina, fondly called Padre Pio by devotees, was plagued by poor health.

His spiritual suffering may be likened to the ?dark nights of the soul? experienced by St. John of the Cross and Mother Teresa. In his letter to his spiritual advisor, Padre Pio wrote: ?I?m dying of pain because of the wounds and the resulting embarrassment I feel deep in my soul. I am afraid I shall bleed to death if the Lord doesn?t hear my heartfelt supplication. Will Jesus grant me this grace?

Embarrassment

?I will raise my voice and won?t stop imploring him until in his mercy he takes away, not the wound or pain, since I wish to be inebriated with pain, but these outward signs that cause me embarrassment and unbearable humiliation.?

Padre Pio endured rejection by Church officials. He was forbidden to say Mass and hear confession ? for 10 years! But, he was always cheerful and never lost his sense of humor. And, in the 1960s, all accusations, like his allegedly ?faking? his stigmata, were dismissed by Pope Paul VI.

Padre Pio was also known to have the gift of reading souls. The EWTN feature narrated how the beloved priest knew if a penitent in the confessional was wrongly motivated.

Once, Padre Pio told a young priest by the name of Father Karol Wojtyla, who visited him in 1947 to ask the former to hear his confession, that he would one day ascend to ?the highest post in the Church?! The charismatic confessor will always be remembered for his advice to people who wish to pursue a life of holiness: ?Change your life ? pray, hope ? and, don?t worry!?