Catholic Fire

September 23 is the memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968). St. Pio is one of my favorite saints. Miracles happened everyday of his life. He was a priest, a mystic, and a stigmatist who possessed many rare and mysterious gifts. He was bi-locational, that is, he appeared in two places at one time. He was able to communicate with others through mental telepathy. When he thought of them, they began to smell the scent of violets, which they associated with him. In the Confessional, he was able to tell people their sins in detail, even those which they did not confess to him. Through the simple means of touch, he was able to heal others. God had blessed him with an abundance of gifts that he used wisely to build up the body of Christ and to convert sinners. Padre Pio was born in 1887 in the small village of Pietrelcina in southern Italy, the son of a shepherd. His baptized name was Francesco (Francis) Forgione. He joined the Capuchin friars at the age of 16 and was ordained ...

Catholic Culture has recently reviewed one of my favorite websites, which I think you will also find fascinating, if you enjoy reading about the saints. I concur with their evaluation of the website, Miracles of the Saints . Here is an excerpt from that review: Description The Miracles of the Saints website explores the extraordinary graces that God has wrought in the lives of the Saints. While God reveals Himself in all the marvels of creation, His has chosen to manifest Himself and His love for humanity in very special manner in the lives of His Saints. Includes examples of stigmata, prophecy, remarkable cures, bilocation, heavenly voices from the afterlife, levitation, prolonged fasts, mystical knowledge, scourging and the crown of thorns, speaking in tongues, incorrupt bodies, and miracles over nature along with many others. The author endeavors always to be faithful to the Catholic Church and its teachings. First Evaluated: 08/03/2013 Fidelity:  Excellent Resource...

St. Francis in Ecstasy CARAVAGGIO c. 1595 Oil on canvas Wadsworth Atheneum Hartford, Connecticut The Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi In the year 1224 as he was rapt in deep contemplation on Mt. Alverna Christ the Lord by a stupendous miracle imprinted the marks of his passion on the saint's body. ~Taken from the Proper Offices of Franciscan Saints Prayer Almighty God, You renewed the marks of the sufferings of Your Son in the body of our holy Father Francis in order to inflame our hearts with the fire of your love. Through His prayers may we be made conformable to the death of your Son and thus share also in His resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. ~Prayer via Sister Patricia.

St. Francis in Ecstasy CARAVAGGIO c. 1595 Oil on canvas Wadsworth Atheneum Hartford, Connecticut The Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi In the year 1224 as he was rapt in deep contemplation on Mt. Alverna Christ the Lord by a stupendous miracle imprinted the marks of his passion on the saint's body. ~Taken from the Proper Offices of Franciscan Saints Prayer Almighty God, You renewed the marks of the sufferings of Your Son in the body of our holy Father Francis in order to inflame our hearts with the fire of your love. Through His prayers may we be made conformable to the death of your Son and thus share also in His resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Prayer via Sister Patricia.

To his thousands of followers in Italy and around the world he is the new Padre Pio. Like the country's ever-popular 20th Century saint, who displayed stigmata for the last 50 years of his life, Brother Elia is revered. With his face, hands and feet appearing covered in blood each Easter, he has earned celebrity status and his fans range from the country's poorest to World Cup-winning footballer Francesco Totti. [More] The Vatican is remaining silent for now, but it sounds like it is for a good reason - it takes time to determine the authenticity of these cases. I have a hunch we will be hearing more about this young Brother before too long.