MyGen Profile GeneratorI was born 25 May 1887, canonized Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, I was an Italian priest. I took the name Pio when I joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, and was popularly known as Padre Pio after my ordination to the priesthood. I became famous not only for my piety, but for stories of supernatural events which became attached to me.
I was born in Pietrelcina, Italy and baptized in Santa Anna Church. I had a pious youth and experienced heavenly visions and ecstasies. On 6 January 1903, at the age of sixteen, I entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at Morcone, where on 22 January I took the Franciscan habit and the name of Brother Pio. I took simple vows during my novitiate year, and on 27 January 1907 I made my solemn profession. In 1910, I was ordained a priest at Benevento, although I remained with my family until early 1916 for health reasons.
From 1917 to 1918, I served in the Italian Medical Corps. On my return, I was assigned to work at Santa Maria degli Angeli (Our Lady of the Angels) in Pietrelcina. Later, in response to my growing reputation as a worker of miracles, my superiors assigned me to the friary of San Giovanni Rotondo.
On 20 September 1918, while kneeling before a cross, I had my first occurrence of stigmata, bodily marks, pain, and bleeding in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ. This phenomenon followed for fifty years until the end of my life. The blood flowing from the stigmata smelled of perfume or flowers, a phenomenon mentioned in stories of the lives of several saints and known as the odor of sanctity.
In 1940, I began plans to open a hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo, to be named the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza or "Home to Relieve Suffering". The hospital opened in 1956, and is today considered one of the most efficient hospitals in Europe.
I died in 1968 in San Giovanni Rotondo.
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