Incidentally or not, those who were with Padre Pio in the hours immediately before and after his death claim that the stigmata disappeared without a trace as he took his last breath.
Much of Padre Pio’s fame and infamy came from his gifts of healing and prophecy. A handful of the countless healing stories give a glimpse of his divine and sometimes unique power:
A woman of very modest means traveled some distance to bring her deaf child to Padre Pio, who instantly restored the child’s hearing. In awe and gratitude, the woman removed a gold chain, her only possession of value, from her little girl’s neck and presented it to Padre Pio in the name of the Blessed Virgin. The next morning, back in her own home, the woman awoke to find the gold chain on her bed table.
A blind child who’d been born with no pupils was brought to Padre Pio by her grandmother. During her time with Padre Pio she began to see and identify objects for the first time in her life. Ocular specialists who’d examined the child before and after her healing had no explanation for how pupils had managed to generate themselves in the little girl’s eyes.
A man with a desperately ill child, who’d been given no hope by any number of doctors, took the child to Padre Pio. But as he entered the monastery, Padre Pio chased him back out the door again, yelling that because the man was a Communist and therefore a nonbeliever, he had no business presenting himself to “God’s tribunal.” Heartsick, the man was preparing to return to Moscow with his child when he happened across a local professor to whom he told his story. The professor persuaded the man to go back to Padre Pio, confess his sins, and renounce the Godless beliefs he’d been taught throughout his life. He took the professor’s advice and went with his child to the monastery again the next day. On seeing Padre Pio, he immediately and very sincerely fell to his knees, weeping. Padre Pio helped him to his feet, saying, “You have done the right thing and your son will get well. Now, come to confession.” The man did as he was told and experienced a full spiritual awakening, while his child was completely healed.
One of Padre Pio’s most famous prophecies was allegedly delivered through him by Jesus Christ and describes the coming Apocalypse. It reads, in part:
My Son, My love for man is very great, especially for those who give themselves to Me … The time is near at hand in which I shall visit my unfaithful people because they have not heeded the time of My grace. My judgment shall come upon them suddenly and when least expected—not one shall escape My hands. But I shall protect the just. Watch the sun and moon and the stars, when they appear unduly disturbed and restless, know that the day is not far away.
Stay united in prayer and watching until the angel of destruction has passed your doors. Pray that these days will be shortened. My children, have confidence. I am in the midst of you. My kingdom shall be glorified and My name shall be blessed from the rising of the sun unto the setting. My kingdom shall have no end.
Pray! Men are running toward the abyss of hell in great rejoicing … Assist Me in the salvation of souls. The measure of sin is filled! The day of revenge, with its terrifying happenings is near! Nearer than you can imagine! And the world is sleeping in false security! The Divine Judgment shall strike them like a thunderbolt! These godless and wicked people shall be destroyed without mercy …
Keep your windows well covered. Do not look out. Light a blessed candle, which will suffice for many days. Pray the rosary. Read spiritual books. Make acts of love which are so pleasing to Us. Pray with outstretched arms, or prostrate on the ground, in order that many souls may be saved …
Take care of the animals during these days. I am the Creator and Preserver of all animals as well as man. I shall give you a few signs beforehand, at which time you should place more food before them. I will preserve the property of the elect, including the animals, for they shall be in need of sustenance afterwards as well …
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