Hi! Welcome to the site…I actually joined just over a week ago and I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve already learned!
Anyway, I’m right there with you with your question. I did find a book at Borders last weekend which had words of wisdom from Padre Pio, like a yearly devotional…with no calender date to start it. I wish I could remember the name, but I didnt’ buy it…and should have.
My family has a special connection to St. Padre Pio. My great-uncle was a friend of his and was instrumental in bringing St. Pio here to the U.S back in the 60’s (I think). My Mom recently showed me a letter written by Padre Pio’s assistant to my Uncle, offering prayers for my Great Aunt Ramona as she was very ill at the time. The letter also discussed how busy the Padre was and he wished he had time to answer all the mail personally, but was sure to get a response out to my Uncle as he was such a long time friend. By the tone of the letter I gather the woman who wrote it also knew my uncle and aunt personally.
Anyway, I also found a letter recently from that uncle (who passed away a few years ago) and it stated that he had added my brother and I to Padre Pio’s “spiritual family” years and years before…such as at our births.
It’s kind of amazing to realize that my family has such a connection to a wonderful saint, and I feel very blessed…and I hope to learn more about St. Pio in order to feel closer to him and accept him as my Patron as he accepted me as his “spiritual child” so long ago.
I’m actually kind of overwhelmed right now, thinking about this. Great thread! I’ll follow and see what other people post in response to your question!
