Tag Archives: Capuchin

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Padre Pio, Feast Day September 23

Quote September 22, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

St. Padre Pio Public Domain Image — St. Padre Pio
Public Domain Image

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Padre Pio,

Feast Day September 23

The feast day of St. Padre Pio is celebrated on September 23. He is the first priest to receive the stigmata (wounds of Christ).

The name of Padre Pio at birth was Francesco Forgione. He was born on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelc

ina, Italy. He showed signs of a religious calling at a very early age, dedicating his life to God at the age of 5. Francesco was able to communicate with Jesus, Mary and his Guardian Angel. He assumed this was common.

At the age of 15, he joined the Capuchin Order of the friars Minor in Morcone, Italy. He was known for being a very contemplative priest. When he celebrated Mass they lasted several hours due to the long, silent moments of contemplative prayer. When he was asked if he could shorten the Mass he replied:

“God knows that I want to say Mass just like any other priest, but I cannot do it.”

He gained a reputation of being a good counselor and people traveled many hours to speak with him. Padre Pio was known as a man of prayer. He encouraged praying the rosary and praying for the deceased souls in Purgatory.

On September 20, 1918, just a month after his ordination, he received the stigmata while praying before a crucifix at the age of 31. For 50 years he suffered with the wounds of Christ. He was given the gifts of healing, prophecy, miracles and the gift of tongues. He was also given the gift of “odor of sanctity”. Quite often the scent of roses or lilies was present while people were with him.

Although given many spiritual gifts he always remained humble and in service to God. He became sought out as a confessor, spending an average of 19 hours a day in the confessional. People came from all corners of the earth to confess their sins to him. He heard the confession of Pope John Paul II when he was a young priest.

Padre Pio founded a hospital called The Home for the Relief of Suffering.

“Bring God to all those who are sick. This will help them more than any other remedy.”

At the age of 81 Padre Pio died while praying the rosary.

“After my death I will do more. My real mission will begin after my death”

Over 100, 000 people attended the funeral of St. Padre Pio to celebrate his life.

Padre Pio was canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 16, 2002.

“Your tears were collected by the angels and were placed in a gold chalice and you will find them when you present yourself before God.”

Quote of St. Padre Pio

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

Save

Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Joseph of Cupertino, Feast Day September 18

Quote September 18, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra 2 Comments

St. Joseph of Cupertino Public Domain Image — St. Joseph of Cupertino

The feast day of St. Joseph of Cupertino is celebrated on September 18. St. Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of air travelers, pilots, astronauts, and those with learning disabilities.

St. Joseph of Cupertino was born on June 17, 1603 in Puglia, Italy. His father died before he was born leaving his mother destitute. He was born in a stable. As a child he was a slow learner, probably having a learning disability. When he was 17 he was denied acceptance to the Order of the Friars Minor Conventuals due to lack of an education. He was however, accepted into the Capuchins at Martino near Cupertino. He gardened, tended the animals and worked in the kitchen.

Because of his learning disabilities St. Joseph could only study small amounts of material at a time. He then prayed to remember the material for the test. St. Joseph was ordained in 1628.

St. Joseph was a mystic with the gift of miraculous levitation and visions. Anything religious could cause him to levitate. During prayer he was known for his ecstasies and suddenly levitating. The first time levitation occurred was on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4 1630. During the procession he suddenly rose into the sky and hovered over the crowd. He was so embarrassed he fled and hid. The levitation happened so often he earned the title “The Flying Saint”.

The most famous act of levitation occurred while he was in the presence of Pope Urban VIII. He was filled with reverence and immediately was lifted into the air. During the Inquisition he was confined for several weeks but released. Crowds tried to meet him until he was place in seclusion…unable to speak to anyone other than the bishop the vicar general of the Order, his fellow friars and a doctor if needed.

After his death on Sept. 18, 1663, great crowds of people attended his funeral. Pope Clement XIII canonized St. Joseph of Cupertino on July 16, 1767.

A movie has been made of his life named A Reluctant Saint. St. Joseph of Cupertino is the patron saint of air travelers, pilots, astronauts, and those with learning disabilities.

“The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything.”

Quote of St. Catherine of Genoa; Feast day September 15

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

Doctor of the Church, Franciscan Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Feast Day July 21

July 27, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of St. Lawrence of Brindisi is celebrated on July 21. He was born on July 21, 1559 in Brindisi , Italy. His baptismal name was Julius Caesar. He was adventurous as a child but knew from an early age that he had a religious calling. When his father died at the age of twelve he went to Venice where he studied with the conventual Franciscans. He was accepted into the Capuchin Order and eventually became a priest. He worked as a diplomat and as a missionary.

St. Lawrence of Brindisi was fluent in five languages. He was Master General of his Order from 1602-1605. He was known for his eloquent preaching. He reformed the monasteries and taught theology. St. Lawrence was known for many miraculous healings. He healed a blind man and cured a paralyzed woman. His sermons have been compiled into 15 volumes.

On July 22, 1619 St. Lawrence died of natural causes. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII on Dec. 8, 1881. St Lawrence of Brindisi is a Doctor of the Church.

The crucifix alone
teaches one the worth
of a single human soul.

Quote of St. Pierre Henri Dorie; Feast day September 20.

July is the Month of the Most Precious Blood.

The Mystery of Faith