Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Tuesday 19 March |
The Solemnity of Saint Joseph
Aleteia logo
Spirituality
separateurCreated with Sketch.

Padre Pio’s powerful words of advice when a pandemic hit Italy

PIO

operapadrepio.it

Philip Kosloski - published on 01/29/21

People in Italy were terrified by a worldwide pandemic in 1918 and asked Padre Pio what they should do.
Without donors, Aleteia's future is uncertain.
Join our Lenten Campaign 2024.
PLEASE MAKE A DONATION TO ALETEIA

During the summer of 1918, Italy was hit hard by the Spanish flu, forcing schools to close down and localbusinesses to halt. It was a scary time to be alive, as everyone appeared to get infected by this wild virus.

Many were frightened by this sudden turn of events, and in Italy they turned to Padre Pio.

In the biography Padre Pio: The True Story, published by Our Sunday Visitor, the mystic saint’s response to this worldwide pandemic is recorded, with the powerful words of advice he gave to one of his spiritual daughters.

By September, everyone in San Giovanni Rotondo seemed to be ill, the schools were closed, and what little commerce there was in town was brought to a halt. In the next couple months, two hundred people from a population of ten thousand would perish.Padre Pio’s spiritual daughters came to him terrified, begging him to save them. “Never fear,” he assured Nina Campanile. “Put yourself under the protection of the Virgin, do not sin, and the sickness will not overcome you.” Although some of the “daughters” fell ill, none of them died. 

He also responded to tragedy that surrounded him by offering himself as a victim for the world.

Padre Pio had already offered himself as a victim for the cessation of the war. He also offered himself as a victim for the boys of the “Seraphic College,” of which he was now serving as principal. And on September 17, he offered himself as a victim for the end of the influenza.

Shortly thereafter Padre Pio received the stigmata of the Lord, visible signs of Christ’s Passion on his body.

Whatever may happen in our own lives, Padre Pio reminds us to trust in the Lord, not to fear and to put ourselves under the protection of the Virgin Mary.

12 Powerful quotes from Padre Pio

Tags:
Padre PioSaints
Support Aleteia!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reach more than 20 million unique users per month!

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Support Aleteia with a gift today!

jour1_V2.gif
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.