The Servent of God's Connection to St. Pio of Pietrelcina
St. Padre Pio at San Giovanni Rotondo, the Capuchin stigmatist was Maria Esperanza Bianchini’s Spiritual Director. St. Pio received the stigmata on September 20, 1918. St. Pio’s hands, feet, and side had been pierced and were spilling blood. St Pio’s stigmata remained the same for 50 years.
After evening Mass on September 23, 1968, Maria Esperanza was praying with a group when she received the stigmata. Before the entire group fresh blood was emanating from Maria Esperanza’s hands. She felt St. Pio telling her:
“Daughter, I leave with you those that the Lord gave me. You will suffer very much, very much, but the Virgin, Our Mother will protect you, and Jesus will live in your heart.”
It was 8:30 PM in Venezuela and 2:30 AM in Italy, the exact time at which Padre Pio died (on September 23, 1968). He visited Maria Esperanza spiritually at the moment of his death to say goodbye and to tell her that he would always assist her.
Prayer to St. Pio of Pietrelcina
O my Jesus, You have said:
Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive,
seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.’
Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of
(State your intention) Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.
O my Jesus, You have said:
‘Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father
in My Name, He will give it to you.’
Behold, in Your Name, I ask the Father for the grace of
(State your intention). Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.
O my Jesus, You have said:
‘Truly I say to you, Heaven and earth will pass away
but My Words will not pass away.’
Encouraged by Your infallible Words
I now ask for the grace of
(State your intention) Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of You, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your tender Mother and ours.
Hail, Holy Queen…
St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.”