Padre Pio —
The Wonder Worker

If there is such a thing as rivalry in heaven, Padre Pio would give the great Wonder Worker (thaumaturgust) St. Anthony of Padua stiff competition for that title. The new Blessed, Padre Pio is a 20th century version of the 13th century Saint. The many gifts Padre Pio had such as bilocation, miraculous scents, prophecy, reading hearts, healing, interpreting languages and many other charisms, rank him among the most extraordinary Saints in the two-thousand year history of the Church.. Did not Jesus foretell that His disciples would "do greater works" than those which He did? (John 14:12) This latest book in the "Marian Shrines and Saints" series, Padre Pio — The Wonder Worker, not only examines these gifts close up and from different perspectives but is capable of challenging the faithless, of exciting interest among the wavering and of inspiring the faithful to aspire to holiness. After all, it was in large measure the reading of the lives of the Saints that changed the course of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s life to become the great founder of the Jesuits and reformer of the 16th century.

Though the book records many authenticated wonders, and they are countless it seems, the book's main virtue consists in recounting the life and heroic virtues of a modern day Saint who shows that the way to personal holiness is very much with us in our day. Padre Pio would encourage all to not stop at anything short of that goal. This latest among a whole library of books on Padre Pio, written over the last fifty years, is much more than a biography. The first seven chapters are a biographical sketch, followed by over thirty chapters dealing with the many inspiring facts pertaining to his life and charisms.

These short interesting chapters are written by a host of writers and devotees of the Padre such as Fr. John Schug, OFM Cap, Fr. Stefano Manelli, F.I., Mary Ann Budnik, Padre Alberto, Cardinal Ursi, Fr. Bernardino of Siena, Madeline Nugent, SFO and many more. The Preface is written by Fr. Andrew Apostoli, who gave a series of talks on Padre Pio which were recently aired on EWTN. These chapters cover such topics as: Padre Pio's Encounter with the Devil, Medical Science Examines the Stigmata, The Blind Girl Who Should Not See, Sees, Mystical Ascent, His Spiritual Children, The Mass of Padre Pio, The House for the Relief of Suffering, The Poor Souls Meet with Padre Pio, and a chapter on his recent Beatification.

There are millions of persons who have been in Padre Pio’s presence and received spiritual help by means of his gift of reading hearts, who have perceived the heavy fragrance that emerges from his person, whose hearts have been touched by the manner in which he celebrated Mass — and many others who have witnessed miracles worked through him and have felt themselves powerfully renewed and strengthened in faith. His example and the power of his intercession has not ceased or diminished since his death and will undoubtedly be a great influence in the next millennium. (suggested offering $9.50) To place an order click here

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

by Father Stefano M. Manelli, FI, STD
Founder of Franciscans of the Immaculate

As one goes through the very rich, but long and detailed biographies of Padre Pio of Piterelcina, one wonders about the reaction of many people, especially the young, who want to read about this man. How can we expect all people to read through books that are long?

On the other hand, the desire to know at least the more essential and characteristic things in the extraordinary life of Padre Pio, needs to be satisfied. This would benefit everybody, especially our youth, to whom   lofty and challenging models must be offered.

This book by Fr. Stefano Manelli offers an attempt at such a biography. It is but a modest profile of this son of St. Francis, this twentieth century spiritual father of an immense multitude.

Where is the value of knowing about Padre Pio? One finds it in the truth that God sends Saints that meet the needs of the times. Every Saint is a prophet for his times. And every prophet is a beacon casting light upon the present and future pathway of men. This book,  with grayscale illustrations presents in simple and yet profound way the life, the virtues and the message of this priest and victim of our times. Softbound in four colored cover, 150 pages. (suggested offering $2.50) To place an order click here