The inevitable encounter with Sister Death spurs Francis to close his work with praise, blessing and thanksgiving. Everything that happened in Francis’ life fueled the fire of his praise to the Lord.

—from Franciscan Media’s
“Embracing St. Francis’ ‘Canticle of the Creatures’“

Still, Catherine lived in an age which did not know the rapid change of 21st-century mobile America. The value of her life for us today lies in her recognition of holiness as a goal to be sought over the course of a lifetime.

—from Saint of the Day: Catherine of Siena
by Franciscan Media

Today we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, who suffered, died, and rose again for all of us. Padre Pio understood the power and meaning of Christ’s suffering, willingly joining in that suffering for the sake of others. Much was asked of the Lord, who in return asked much of Padre Pio.

For the past 40 days he has guided us through his words and examples. As we celebrate this joyous day, let us remember to move forward in the spirit of Padre Pio—caring for and serving others so that they may come to know Christ.

In Padre Pio’s Own Words

To succeed in reaching our ultimate goal, we need to follow our divine leader, who leads an elect soul only on the path that he walked himself, the path of self-denial and the cross: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” [Matthew 16:24]. Shouldn’t you consider yourself fortunate for being treated this way by Jesus? The person who does not penetrate the secret of the cross is a fool.

The Holy Spirit tells us that to reach the harbor of salvation, the souls of the elect need to go through the fire of painful humiliation and purify themselves, like gold and silver in the crucible, and in that way they spare themselves having to do expiation in the next life:

Accept whatever is brought upon you,
and endure it in sorrow;
in changes that humble you be patient.
For gold and silver are tested in the fire,
and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.
[Sirach 2:4–5]

Jesus wants to make us saints at any cost, but more than anything he wants to sanctify you.

(To Raffaelina Cerase, August 15, 1914)

Prayer

St. Pio, your life serves as a powerful example of sacrifice and love.
May you continue to love and guide us as we walk our faith journey toward Christ.

For years, followers of Padre Pio waited for the Church to recognize what they felt they already knew—he was a saint. Even after his canonization process was opened, it was another 20 years before he became St. Pio of Pietrelcina.

As we wait in anticipation of Christ’s Resurrection, we are reminded that as difficult as it may be, the waiting is worth it. For it is through doing so that we realize the true blessing of what is yet to come.

Consider the words of Padre Pio below. How can we conquer our own fears and live a life of bold witness? How can prayer help us get there?

In Padre Pio’s Own Words

“Wretched man that I am!” exclaimed the great chosen vessel, the Apostle to the Gentiles. “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” [Romans 7:24]. There can be no doubt that this apostle was one of the greatest saints and a star of the first magnitude in our holy church. How many persecutions, toils, and pains he suffered for Jesus Christ! What burning charity, what fiery love, what ardent zeal for Jesus’ honor! What revelations, visions, ecstasies, and raptures even into the third heaven!

And yet this holy apostle, rich in so many virtues and with such excellent gifts, expressed the lament above…. [He tells us,] “Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea” [2 Corinthians 11:25]. He also speaks of other hardships he endured out of love for Jesus: “many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure” [2 Corinthians 11:27]….

Tell me, daughter, is there anything lacking that prevents us from declaring this great apostle and teacher of the gentiles perfect? Yet even he felt in himself a whole host of moods, aversions, and natural habits and inclinations that were conspiring to his undoing and to spiritual death…. He answers that dilemma quoted above by saying that the grace of God through Jesus Christ will keep him not from fear or terror or battle—all the things you are feeling, my dear daughter—but from being overcome and conquered.

(To Maria Gargani, June 18, 1917)

Prayer

St. Pio, teach us to be joyful in our waiting and use the time to
stop and reflect on the importance of that for which we’re waiting.

Padre Pio is recognized as a saint now, but there were certainly times of spiritual trial during his life. He was investigated by the Vatican more than once regarding his claims of the stigmata and many people suggested that he was inflicting the wounds on himself. For a period of time, the Vatican imposed sanctions on him stating that he was not allowed to say Mass, hear confessions, or communicate with his spiritual adviser.

These restrictions were painful to Padre Pio. Yet he delved deeper into his prayer life and found peace in knowing that all he endured was for the glory and honor of Christ.

In Padre Pio’s Own Words

Do not be discouraged if your trial is always increasing. Believe at all times, lift your heart up on high, and you can be certain that there is no reason for dismay. Trials are hard; everyone knows that. So what, then? Isn’t it God who is overseeing everything and ordering everything for our greater good? Therefore be strong in the day of trial. Wait a bit longer, and our good God will hear our prayer.

Hasn’t he heard so many prayers up to this point? Therefore he cannot fail to hear this last one, the crown of all prayers.

Wait a bit longer! Do we know how long “a bit longer” is? It does not matter, my good daughter! You will see the answer when it pleases the divine Bridegroom and when we are all transformed in him. You will most definitely experience his promise, Videbitis me—“You will see me” [see Matthew 26:64].

(To Assunta di Tomaso, October 22, 1916)

Prayer

St. Pio, you remained faithful to Christ, even during your times of trial.
Help us to prayerfully acknowledge the sacrifices Christ made
on our behalf through his suffering on the cross.

For most of us, the image we most associate with Holy Thursday is the one painted by Leonardo da Vinci of Christ and his disciples breaking bread on the evening before Jesus was betrayed and turned over to be put to death. At some point, all of us have taken part in large meals, either with friends or family. From them we receive not only physical nourishment, but also the spiritual nourishment that comes from being together. That combination of community and sustenance is what we find when we receive Holy Communion.

Though he himself did not eat very much, partly due to his illnesses, Padre Pio found great nourishment in receiving the Holy Eucharist, just as we should.

In Padre Pio’s Own Words

In a word, let us try to make our meals be a preparation for the divine meal of the most holy Eucharist. Do not eat more food than you need, and try to have moderation in all things. Most of all, determine in your heart to be disposed toward less rather than more at meals. I do not mean, however, that you should leave the table fasting. No, that is not what I mean. Let everything be  done prudently, which is the rule for all human actions.

Do not go to bed without having first examined your conscience about what happened during the day and directing all your thoughts to God.

Then offer and consecrate yourself and all Christians to him—especially me, a lowly brother who does the same for you. In addition, offer your sleep to the glory of God’s divine majesty, and do not forget the guardian angel who is always with you and never leaves you, no matter what wrong thing you might do.

(To Raffaelina Cerase, December 17, 1914)

Prayer

St. Pio, let your love of the Holy Communion be a shining example for us and inspire in us
a willingness to partake in the sacrament as often as possible and fully embrace its meaning.