by Frank Rega

Book of the Month, February 2005

During World War II, a great many GI's and other Americans trekked up the mountains to San Giovanni Rotondo to visit a holy Franciscan monk who was reputed to have the stigmata of Christ and about whom a great deal of mystical phenomena was reported.  Frank Rega interviewed several soldiers in the Allied forces who had come to Padre Pio for advice, counsel, confession, and even healing.  While many books have been written about Padre Pio, this 300 page work is the first one to detail the Padre's experience with GI's and their experience with him.

Padre Pio exhibited deep insights into the problems faced by the GI's.  Although he was secluded in a monastery, he understood very well the problems confronting a world at war.  He knew how to speak to the soldiers who came to him.

The following excerpt from the book details Padre Pio's final hours:

The evening of the 22nd , Padre Pellegrino Funicelli checked up on Padre Pio at 9:00 pm, as he had done for the past few years. He found Pio already in bed, and then went to his own room, where an intercom was always on so that he could hear any sounds from Pio's cell. From 9:00 until midnight, Padre Pio called Pellegrino into his cell about half-a-dozen times. He would ask what time it was, and since his eyes were red from weeping, Pellegrino would dab away the tears. At midnight, Pio asked him to remain in the room with him, and grabbed his hands like a frightened child. For the next hour, he continued to ask what the time was, and asked Pellegrino to say Mass for him that morning. Pellegrino later recounted, "It seemed like he had an appointment, and that he was impatiently waiting for the time to come."

Padre Pio then asked his confrere to hear his confession. While not his regular confessor, Pellegrino had sometimes heard Pio's confession during his evening watches. When they finished, the saint indicated he wished to renew his religious vows. At this, Pellegrino was taken aback. "His request made me shudder because it's our custom as monks to do so on our deathbed." After renewing his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Padre Pio asked a favor of Padre Pellegrino: 'My son, if the Lord calls me today, ask pardon for me from the confreres for all the bother I have given them and ask them and my spiritual children to pray for my soul." Pellegrino assured him that he still had a long life ahead of him, and he made a request of Pio that turned out to be prophetic. "Just in case you should be right, may I ask you to give your last blessing to your fellow priests, your spiritual children, and your patients?" Padre Pio proceeded to bless them all, and expressed his wishes that the Father Guardian also impart this last blessing for him.

A few moments later, he asked Pellegrino to help him get out of bed. He got dressed, washed his face, and sat down for a moment in the armchair. Then, saying he wanted to see the stars outside on the veranda, he got up from the chair unassisted, which amazed his confrere. Another surprise awaited Pellegrino when Padre Pio stood up completely straight, which he not been able to do in years, and walked briskly out to the balcony as if he were a young man. They remained standing outside under the night sky for a few minutes, then Pio sat down and appeared to be staring at a part of the veranda. The spot at which he was staring was the precise location where the friars would shortly place his body, until he could be laid out in the church.

After a few minutes, his face beginning to pale, he asked to be taken back to his cell. Now, however, he could barely stand, and Pellegrino hurried to fetch a wheelchair. Once back in his room, Pio sat in his armchair, and continued to grow paler. He kept repeating "Jesus...Mary," as his lips turned purple and it became difficult for him to breathe. The worried and frightened Pellegrino started to leave the room to call for help, but Pio stopped him, saying that he did not want to disturb anyone. He stayed with the failing Padre a few minutes longer; then, in spite of Pio's protests, he strode out the door to find help. Noticing that Brother Bill Martin's door was open, he went in, turned on the light, and exclaimed, "Padre Pio is dying!" While Brother Bill ran to Pio's cell, Pellegrino grabbed a telephone and called Dr. Sala, then dashed off to arouse the superior and other friars.

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To learn about a disciplined, Catholic, joyful Rule of Life that can help you draw closer to God while living in your own home, consult the Home Page of the Confraternity of Penitents, linked to in the link box at the top of this page.

Thank you and God bless!