Pietrelcina, hometown of Padre Pio, unveiled a new statue of its patron saint this fall, and it’s a truly remarkable piece of art.
The statue pays tribute to the role of the U.S. in the life of St. Pio, and the site is expected to be a go-to destination in 2022, when Pietrelcina celebrates the 20th anniversary of Pio’s canonization by Pope St. John Paul II.
Related article: Join the Cause and Support the Padre Pio Christmas Challenge
Padre Pio never visited the U.S., but he did come in contact with American troops during World War II, and it was these soldiers who promoted the saint’s legacy in the United States.
Since then, the Campania-born saint has become a beloved icon among Italian Americans.
The life-size statue, entitled “I Embrace You,” depicts Padre Pio kneeling at the cross, embracing the world with a special emphasis on the U.S.
Watch the unveiling of the statue here:
The Story of Padre Pio
The story of San Pio is full of charm and spirituality capable of enchanting the faithful from all over the world. He is considered the spiritual heir of St. Francis of Assisi, and was the first priest to bear the signs of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on his body. His intercessions between the faithful and God were for many a cause of healing from physical ailments and a reason for rebirth in the spirit.
Francesco Forgione, better known as San Pio, was born in Pietrelcina on May 25th, 1887, a small town in the Benevento area, in the region of Campania. He was born into a poor and rather large family. From an early age, Francis felt the desire to dedicate his life totally to God and this was evident among his family and friends. His own mom would urge him to go out and play, but he preferred spending his time in the local church.
Finally at the age of sixteen, on January 6, 1903, he dedicated his life to the Lord. He began his career as a cleric in the Capuchin Order and, on August, 10 1910, he was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of Benevento. Thus began his priestly life. On September 4th, 1916, he moved to the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo where, with the exception of a few brief interruptions, he remained until his death on September 23, 1968.
It was on September 20th, 1918, during his morning prayer session that he received the gift of the stigmata. These were clearly visible and remained open, fresh and bleeding, for about half a century. This extraordinary phenomenon generated a particular attention towards the father. Doctors, scholars, journalists but above all ordinary people, felt they wanted to reach the holy friar in San Giovanni Rotondo.
For years the faithful from all over the world went to this stigmatized priest, to obtain his powerful intercession with God, receive grace and find healing of body and mind. Padre Pio lived over fifty years of his life in prayer, humility, suffering and sacrifice to put his love into practice.
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