The Life of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina: Mystery, Miracles, and Mission

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina is perhaps the single most extraordinary saint in the modern history of the Catholic Church. His heart was pierced. He carried the wounds of Christ on his hands, feet, and side for half a century. He communicated with his spiritual sons and daughters through bilocation and mystical perfume. He read the souls of his penitents. He offered his suffering so that others might be healed. He built one of the most significant hospitals in Southern Italy. Most importantly, Padre Pio wanted others to be redeemed.In Bret Thoman’s latest book, he has created a fresh, new narrative about Padre Pio. Drawing on the early Italian sources, theLetters of Padre Pio, and important new biographies in Italian, this book generously adds to the repertoire of research on the stigmatized saint from San Giovanni Rotondo. The fact is that an updated biography was needed in the English language.Before Padre Pio’s canonization on June 16, 2002, there was reticence regarding crucial aspects of his life. During much of his lifetime, the Capuchin friars themselves were forbidden from visiting him. The superiors of the order did not want to create the appearance that they approved of Padre Pio and the events that were being reported in San Giovanni Rotondo. In truth, for decades before and after his death, Padre Pio was misunderstood. He had fervent supporters and vicious detractors alike. Until there was clarity from the hierarchy, there was reluctance to speak—and especially write—on the more controversial aspects, especially from authoritative sources. For this reason, many facets of Padre Pio’s life in the early biographies were omitted or glossed over—especially regarding any supernatural phenomena.This changed after two events: the publication of the comprehensive fourth edition of theEpistolario(in English,Letters of Padre Pio) in 2000 and Padre Pio’s canonization in 2002. The canonization, in particular, was seen as an imprimatur on all aspects of the life of Padre Pio. From that point on, studies of the life of P