“Courage. Suffice it for us to know that Jesus loves us greatly.”—Letters, Vol. 4, 1005

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Padre Pio spoke often of the physical attacks he endured from Satan, many of which left him vis-ibly bruised and beaten. He also expressed great discomfort at bearing the outward signs of the stigmata because of the attention it drew to him. He endured multiple investigations by Church officials and even the Vatican and was subject to constant speculation regarding the authenticity of his stigmata. While things were not always as he wished, Padre Pio accepted what the Lord had asked of him. What a wonderful example for us of pushing forward and accepting things that make us uncomfortable and are not what we would like them to be.
Praying with Padre Pio
St. Pio, be with us in situations where we are being challenged. Help us to summon the courage to do what is being asked of us and to remember that we are always in Jesus’s loving care.