Who Is Padre Pio?

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) is probably the best-known saint of our times. A stigmatist since 1915 when he received the invisible wounds of Christ, he bore these marks visibly from 1918 until his death. Padre Pio possessed remarkable gifts, including celestial perfume, the reading of hearts, bilocation, prophetic insight, miraculous cures and remarkable conversions. Plus, he could also smell the stench of sin in penitents.

Though Padre Pio was renowned and sought out as a confessor, it was his indescribably edifying way of saying Mass that affected most people. Though forbidden under obedience to write letters or to preach, this humble Capuchin monk became known worldwide for his counsel, piety and spiritual direction. Who Is Padre Pio is a short, incisive and absorbingly interesting account of a priest who was canonized in 2002 and who certainly ranks among the church's greatest saints. It was written anonymously by a former Mason converted by Padre Pio, and is laid at the feet of the Church in humble thanksgiving to the man who put him on the way of salvation.