“Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” – St. Padre Pio

From an early age, St. Padre Pio lived a pious and humble life. He grew up in a poor home and at the age of five, this young boy named Francesco Forgione, dedicated his life to God. Ten years later, he joined the novitiate of the Capuchin Order of the Friars Minor and was given the name Brother Pio. His peers and superiors admired him for his humility, piety, and great devotion to and love of prayer. After several more years in seminary formation, he was ordained a priest. Padre (“Father” in Italian) Pio was only twenty-three years old.

The Holy Mass was so important to Padre Pio that he would enter into long pauses of contemplative silence that would sometimes last several hours. Throughout his life he was given extraordinary spiritual gifts such as healing, bilocation, prophesy, miracles, and the ability to read hearts, all while remaining humble and always recognizing these gifts came from God. Over the years his giftedness and devotion became known and pilgrims would come to him from all over the world.

Throughout Padre Pio’s life, he suffered from poor health, but this did not discourage him. He offered all of his physical pain and suffering to God. He even bore the marks of the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, for fifty years—a spiritual gift that was also given to the founder of the Franciscans, St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Padre Pio is a model of completely trusting in God and His will for our lives. His physical health was debilitating, but instead of worrying about his health he entrusted his life into God’s hands and dedicated himself to serving God’s people through the Sacraments. It is important to remember that although we too may suffer from pain, whether physical or mental, it is all for the greater glory of God. Padre Pio understood that there was no reason to worry. Instead of worrying we can use our time more productively to pray. Through our prayer we can deepen our relationship with God and learn to find comfort, peace, and joy in Him during times of hardship.

Although St. Padre Pio is not the patron saint of anxiety or mental illnesses, we can still turn to him and ask for his help and intercession. He often stated, “After my death I will do more. My real mission will begin after death.” So in our trials and during times of stress and anxiety, we can turn to St. Padre Pio in faith that he will in turn bring our petitions to our Heavenly Father. By learning more about his life and other saints, we can develop a relationship with the saints and look to them as models for how to live for the glory of God.

“Do not anticipate the problems of this life with apprehension, but, rather, with a perfect hope that God, to whom you belong, will free you from them accordingly. He has defended you up to now. Simply hold on tightly to the hand of his divine providence, and he will help you in all events, and when you are unable to walk, he will lead you; don’t worry . . . Don’t think about tomorrow’s events because the same heavenly Father who takes care of you today will do the same tomorrow and forever. 

“Live tranquilly. Remove from your imagination that which upsets you, and often say to the Lord, ‘Oh, God, you are my God, and I will trust in you. You will assist me and be my refuge, and I will fear nothing . . .’”  – St. Padre Pio

References:
No Author. (2016). A Short Biography. Padre Pio Devotions. Retrieved from: http://padrepiodevotions.org/a-short-biography/
No Author. (2006). Padre Pio on Anxiety. The National Institute for the Renewal of the Priesthood. Retrieved from: http://www.jknirp.com/anxite.htm
Zimak, Gary. (2012). Ten Saints Every Worrier Should Know. Following the Truth. Retrieved from: http://www.followingthetruth.com/ten-saints-every-worrier-should-know/