"And already a blow was the statement of a specialist doctor, whom we went to the north of Italy. Upon learning that we came to him directly from San Giovanni Rotondo, he said sarcastically: in your case, even Padre Pio's miracle will not help!"
Don't put any limits on God!
One of the stories from the life of Padre Pio tells the story of an extraordinary miracle that a blind man suffered. A resident of the Italian town of Lecco visited Padre Pio and asked him very earnestly for his prayers. He knelt and implored the Saint Capuchin, saying:
"If I could regain my sight in at least one eye, I would be immensely grateful and pleased." The distraught man kept repeating the same request, until Padre Pio finally asked: Do you want one eye to be healed? Adding that he would definitely pray.
According to the memoirs of a witness to this meeting, the eyes of the blind man were "two dry and wrinkled peas". After some time it turned out that the man had received the grace of a miracle because he appeared in the convent and met Padre Pio. His eyes looked normal and the man thanked the friar very much for his prayers - although he only regained his sight in one eye.
“Remember, don't put any limits on God. Ask Him for everything you need. Ask him for a great grace, said Padre Pio *.
I asked the children to visit Padre Pio
- For me and my husband, it was a great suffering to wait for the gift of being a mom and dad - says Beata Grzyb, who for 20 years was a guide around San Giovanni Rotondo. - Literally tormenting in every way. We tried for a year and a half, and the doctors finally told us that we had very little chance of having a baby.
And already a blow was the statement of a specialist doctor, to whom we went all the way to the north of Italy. Upon learning that we had come to him from San Giovanni Rotondo, he said sarcastically: in your case, even Padre Pio's miracle will not help! A blow and a great shock!
But I did not give in to these statements and I continued praying to my Padre Pio and praying for my intention to be heard for 9 years! The path that I had to go with my husband in anticipation of the child is certainly known to many married couples, it can be compared to a Golgotha. There were even times when my husband and I had the impression (but it was only the impression) that God had abandoned us ... A cry in prayer and searching for answers when God is silent. It was really hard to handle.
My husband and I asked ourselves: why us? Why are other couples parents and we are not? Why? We were both helpless, one could say without hope. And it was in this state that we participated in the canonization of Padre Pio, that is exactly 20 years ago, on June 16, 2002.
Despite such an unusual celebration in Rome and in San Giovanni Rotondo, we were sad with a sense of unanswered prayer. But four days later, after my canonization, I found out that we were going to be parents! Extraordinary joy and great gratitude of God's providence, who heard us through the intercession of Saint Padre Pio.
A son was born - Franciszek, and later a daughter - Klara. It was a great miracle for us! I can also add that whenever married couples who had been seeking the gift of children for a long time came to San Giovanni Rotondo, I shared my personal story. I said never to lose hope, quoting Padre Pio's words: "Pray and trust, God is merciful and will hear your prayer."
It's true - says Beata. - God always answers our prayers, you just need to discover His answers.
Healed from cancer
One of the lucky people to participate in Padre Pio's canonization is Maria Gromadzka. - Before leaving for the canonization ceremony, I struggled with cancer. It was a hard and persistent experience, days full of doubt. I lacked the strength to live and the hope I needed to fight. It was a challenge for me to get up in the morning and function normally.
My family and friends, seeing what was happening with me, that it was getting worse, organized a "prayer assault" to Heaven for the grace of health or reconciliation with a serious illness and its consequences. At first, we had the impression that "Heaven did not move."
One day, during a Christmas carol, our parish priest, Father Stanisław, said to us: do you know that in a few months, on June 16 in Rome, they will proclaim Padre Pio a saint? Do you know the life of this extraordinary Capuchin, stigmatic from San Giovanni Rotondo? Do you know how many problems padre Pio had to deal with? And he still had the strength to build a hospital known in Europe, called the House of Suffering Relief?
Do you know this story? Fr. Stanisław tells in detail the meeting of Fr. Karol Wojtyla with Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo. And then the moving story of Wanda Półtawska, a doctor healed of cancer through the intercession of the blessed Capuchin. Father Stanisław's story gave me wings. I told my family that I wanted to go to Rome to proclaim Padre Pio a saint. There was still some time, so my husband and I managed to join a group of pilgrims going to Rome for the ceremony, and the next day to San Givanni Rotondo.
I still remember in detail the day of June 16, 2002 ... I had peace of heart all the time, that everything would be fine, that I should trust. After returning home, I continued my treatment, but gradually the results improved. Exactly a year later, I found out from the doctors that I was healthy. It was the most joyful news I have received in my life. I knew that I owe this joy to dear Father Pio.
Padre Pio's parish in the middle of nowhere
- The figure of an extraordinary Capuchin from San Giovanni Rotondo was the inspiration for the creation of a church and parish dedicated to the world-famous and beloved friar - says Elżbieta Górska from the parish of Padre Pio in Gdańsk Ujeścisko. The beginnings of the parish were very difficult, they took place just after the Capuchin was proclaimed blessed (1999).
First, liturgical meetings and the celebration of the holy mass were in the so-called barracks. With the joint efforts of all parishioners, day after day - literally - a beautiful temple appeared in front of our eyes. You can say "in the middle of nowhere". And for us parishioners, it is truly a miracle!
When I spoke with Fr. Krzysztof Hamoncik, pastor of the parish of Padre Pio about how it all happened, so quickly I hear: "You have to pray fervently, persistently and with faith, and also" roll up "your sleeves for hard, everyday work, says Fr. Christopher.
Each person who considers himself a spiritual child of Padre Pio repeats the important sentence of Saint Capuchin: Pray and trust, God is merciful and will hear your prayer.
* Diane Allen, "Pray, trust and don't worry, New Stories about Padre Pio", Espirit Publishing House, 2016.
