Saint of the Week

Saint St Pio of Pietrelcina 

Virtue: Prayer 

Feast Day: 23rd September 

Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina Italy, into a simple

 peasant family. At the age of 15, he entered the Capuchin Franciscan Friars, and was ordained a priest in 1910. 

After celebrating morning mass on September 20 1918, during his prayer of thanksgiving before the crucifix, Padre Pio received the “Stigmata”. His hands feet and sides were pierced with the nail marks and the lance wound of the crucified Christ. Doctors estimated that for the next 50 years, he lost a cup of blood every day. His five wounds were deep, bleeding, and painful, but completely free of inflammation and swelling. 

News of his holiness spread rapidly and millions of people attended his masses. People waited as much as two weeks to have him hear their confessions, for they perceived in Padre Pio the true heart and souls of the Gospels, expressed in a simple and uncomplicated manner. 

Padre Pio was called to his heavenly reward on September 23 1968. Today his tomb is the most visited shrine in Europe. 

Saint: St Vincent de Paul

Virtue: Generosity

Feast Day: 27th September

Vincent was born in France in 1576. When he was still a young priest, he was captured by

 Turkish pirates who sold him for slavery. For two years, he had to work hard for the masters who bought him. He converted his last master and was then set free. 

Vincent was sent to work in a parish near Paris. He was a very great friend to the poor. He started groups to look after them. The women took care of the sick and cooked meals for them. The men gave food and clothes to the needy. 

Vincent started the Order of the Daughters of Charity who worked for the poor and the sick. He built homes for the poor, the sick, the aged, and abandoned children. He also started the congregation of the Mission, a society of Priests and missionaries called the Vincentians. 

Vincent died in Paris at the age of eighty–four. The St. Vincent de Paul Society continues his work for the poor.