stigma

Ezra 9:5-9; Blessed be God who lives forever; Luke 9:1-6

Today in the Church we celebrate the memorial of St. Padre Pio.

Born 1887 and died in 1968, Padre Pio lived a life of dedication and service to Christ crucified.

He was ordained a priest at the age of 23 and received the stigmata at the age of 31.  He bore the stigmata for 50 years until his death at the age of 81.  He was canonized in 2002.

He, a capuchin friar, like St. Francis before him, was given the gift of bearing the wounds of Christ in his body.  He lived the words of St. Paul, "it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me...I am crucified in the flesh."

Pope Benedict in a  visit to St. Giovanni Rotondo, the place of ministry of Padre Pio, preached that Padre Pio was a simple and humble man who was seized by Christ.  Because he allowed himself to be seized by Christ he was able to spend himself for the victory of love and life witnessed by the crucifixion.

He spent himself for the victory of love. 

IS this not what it means to be a saint?  A saint is one who knows how to spend the gift of his life. 

Whether he was hearing confessions, giving guidance to souls, caring for the sick or receiving visitors, PAdre Pio's life and ministry was a commentary on the cross, radiating the victory of love and life of Christ to others.

Padre Pio pray for us that we to may be crucified in the flesh so that the victory of love may be seen in us.  May we all bear the marks of the crucifixion in our life and from those marks may God's mercy flow outward to all.