Padre Pio (Fabrizio Contessa)

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina is known throughout the world as the friar of the stigmata who was able to read consciences and to obtain, in the obscurity of the confessional, countless prodigies of conversion and healing. Every year, millions of persons go on pilgrimage to his tomb and the memory of his sanctity continues to produce marvellous gifts of grace. The signs of the Passion of Jesus imprinted on his flesh and the impressive series of healings obtained through his prayers eloquently point to our human limitations and the power of God working through instruments of His choice. Padre Pio was canonized on June l6, 2002 by Pope John Paul II and his feast is celebrated on the 23rd of September.