The
Middle Years
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image for a larger picture |
These photographs taken from the calendar of 2003 embrace the
25 years of Padre Pio's life from 1925 to 1950s. They are not
sufficient to adequately illustrate such a long period of time.
However we have had to content ourselves with a few glimpses
of the more important episodes of those years.
Normally Padre's Pio's days during those years went by quite
peacefully. He would be fully occupied with his priestly ministry
that was centred on the celebration of holy Mass and the administration
of thi sacrament of reconciliation. (The photograph below
left, from the January page, was taken in the 1940's. ).
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January page |
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February page |
The faithful gathered in great numbers at the altar upon which
he celebrated the holy mysteries, in order to benefit from that
spiritual fount of energy and graces. Similarly they came to
his confessional to obtain forgiveness of their sins.
These peaceful days for Padre Pio were interrupted by two tragic
events. One was of personal significance, the other of world
wide consequence. (The photograph above right, from the
February page, is from this period).
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March page |
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April page |
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May page |
The event of personal significance consisted of a period of
segregation imposed on him by order of the ecclesiastical authorities.
On the evening of 9 June 1931, Padre Pio received an order that
suspended his ministry except for holy Mass but even that he
had to celebrate in an internal chapel of the friary, with only
a server present. When he found out about the order Padre Pio
said only: "May God's will be done!" His life during
this period of segregation was as follows: about two hours for
the celebration of holy Mass; prayer in the choir stalls until
midday, about one hour of study in the library and in the afternoon,
prayer from vesper until midnight. This period of segregation
lasted until 15th July 1933. (The photographs above right,
from the month of May, refer to this period).
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June page |
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July page |
The second tragic event, the one of world wide consequence was
the second world war. This caused havoc for about five years
from 1940, sowing destruction and death everywhere. During this
period Padre Pio was the focus of reverence for many souls.
Many ran to him to ask for his prayers for their loved ones
who were fighting on the front lines. Others turned to him in
desperation to have news of the whereabouts of their children
or husbands who had left their families and homes on a journey
that seemed neverending. They all implored him for consolation
and support in that tragic hour. Even soldiers, including Americans
and English, sought refuge in his protection. (The photograph
above right, from the month of July, shows Padre Pio talking
with some soldiers).
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August page |
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September page |
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October page |
Because of the limitations of space we are unable to refer to
all the events in Padre Pio's life during this period. However
there is one further point that should be mentioned. Padre Pio
always lived in the friary: in his cell, the church, the refectory,
the corridors and the garden which he loved so much. He rarely
went out, but when he did it was for pastoral motives or to
fulfil his duties as a citizen, for example to vote. (This
photograph below, from the month of November, illustrates this
last aspect).
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November page
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December page |
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