It seems to me that these experiences are likely to be the result of a psychological problem. Was Padre Pio ever given the opportunity for scientific psychiatric evaluation?
Actually, it is a valid question. The Defender of the Faith asks the same question when he’s trying to prove that someone is not worthy of public veneration.
The answer to your question is, yes.
Padre Pio began to have mystical experiences from the time that he was in his late teeens to early 20s. After the apparition of the stigmata he was subject to many evaluations by physiologists, medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, spiritual directors, committees and teams of both believers and non believers all of them experts in some branch of science, philosophy and theology. This actually went on for years. During that time, the superior of the house ordered Padre Pio to avoid all contact with the laity. He was to celebrate mass only for the friars and hear confessions only of the friars.
Padre Pio dearly missed the people whom he served, but when asked by the interviewing psychiatrist why he was so calm, his answer was very simple, “Obedience.”
As the years passed, everyone who examined Padre Pio came away with the same impression. This was a rational and emotionally stable man. He was not psychotic, neurotic, nor masochistic. Like every human being, he had his eccentricities, but nothing that would suggest that he was psychologically unstable. On the contrary, he was found to be quite rational and reasonable in his explanations of his experiences. His behavior was that of an exemplary friar.
Physiologists and physicians who examined him found that there was no way possible that the wound could be self-imposed. There were no signs of chemicals and no signs of trauma to the surrounding tissue or bones. Had someone driven a nail through his hands or feet, there would be trauma to the surrounding areas and possibly nerve damage. There were the wounds, but no trauma and no nerve damage. He never lost mobility or sensation in his extremities, which was unusual…
This is now public information. There are many biographical works on Padre Pio that you can read. Each gives you a piece of the puzzle. Unfortunately, the actual medical and psychiatric reports are in confidential files at the Capuchin Franciscan Generalate, where they belong. Like any other person, even after death, his medical evaluations and records are only shared with those who have a need to know or a legal right to review them.
However, many writers had the chance to interview the psychologists, psychiatrists, and other healthcare professionals who examined Padre Pio. Remember, this man died less than 50 years ago. The eye witnesses were alive and some who were very young at the time, are still alive today.
As I said, there are a number of well researched books on Padre Pio. You may want to pick one up. I got a great deal of insight into his personality from a book titled: Secrets of a Soul: Padre Pio’s Letters to His Spiritual Directors and another titled, Padre Pio Under Investigation: The Secret Vatican Files
As I said, no one writer has every detail. You have to go on a scavenger hunt to pick up the bits and pieces. Every writer has a perspective on which he wishes to focus.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
