One of the most famous and beloved Saints of the past century, Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione to a devout Italian family of peasant farmers in 1887.  By the age of five, little Francesco had already decided to dedicate his life to God, and as a young boy could see his own guardian angel.  At the age of 15, he entered the Capuchin order, taking the name “Friar Pio.”  Pio experienced religious ecstasy and other occurrences, including battles with the devil, and he gained a reputation for sanctity.  He was ordained a priest in 1910, thus becoming Father Pio or “Padre Pio.”  
 
Padre Pio experienced the phenomenon known as the stigmata, unexplained wounds in likeness to those received by Our Lord in the Passion.  For fifty years, Padre Pio bore painful, bleeding wounds in his hands, feet, and side.
 
Padre Pio’s advice and counsel was sought by many, and he heard countless confessions.  After his death in 1968, Padre Pio’s funeral drew over 100,000 mourners.  He was canonized in 2002.