Franciscan Media

Padre Pio suffered from poor health his entire life, beginning around the age of 9. In his later life, after his ordination to the priesthood, he was separated from his religious community for almost five years because of his health.

Padre Pio’s spiritual life was everything to him and everything he did contributed to it. He made the time because it was important to him.

“Stay with me, Lord . . .” That was the prayer Padre Pio often recited—simple, straightforward, to the point.

Padre Pio’s day usually lasted about 19 hours. Each day for him was another opportunity to bring people closer into communion with Christ.

Following a vision in which Christ appeared and pierced the friar in the side with a sword, Padre Pio was left with a physical wound to his side.