St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Capuchin Priest, stigmatist and incorruptible.

 St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Capuchin Priest, stigmatist and incorruptible.

Born May 25, 1887 at Pietrelcina, Benevento, Italy to a southern Italian farm family as Francesco Forgione, the son of Grazio. He was a shepherd, and at age 15 he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin friars in Morcone, Italy, joining the order at age 19. He suffered several health problems, and at one point his family thought he had tuberculosis. He was ordained at age 22 on August 10, 1910.

While praying before a cross, he received the stigmata on September 20, 1918, the first priest ever to be so blessed. 

- He would hear confessions by the hour, reportedly able to read the consciences of those who held back. 

-Reportedly, he was able to bilocate, levitate, and heal by touch. 

-In 1956 he founded the House for the Relief of Suffering, a hospital that serves 60,000 a year. 

-In the 1920’s he started a series of prayer groups that continue today with over 400,000 members worldwide.

- He died September 23, 1968 in San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy of natural causes.

Canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II on December 20, 2001. 

-Usually the testimony book during the course of canonization is have up to 3 books but St. Pio's was up to 16.