Padre Pio: Pray, hope and don’t worry

By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -

Photography: ROBERTO AGUIRRE | FC

MIAMI | Pray, hope and don’t worry. That declaration of faith, uttered by St. Pius of Pietrelcina � better known as Padre Pio � continues to inspire countless Catholics 48 years after his death.

A man who lived 50 years with five stigmata � reminders of the wounds that Christ suffered on the cross � Padre Pio became a beacon for those afflicted physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Seeking his intercession, or grateful for his aid, hundreds filled St. Mary Cathedral Sept. 23 for a Mass marking his feast day. Two relics of Padre Pio � small pieces of cloth used to dab the blood of his stigmata � were present at the Mass, and were later venerated for more than an hour.

Father Luis Garcia, who celebrated the Mass and is currently in residence at St. Mary Cathedral, is known by many of his parishioners, past and present, as a devotee of Padre Pio.

“I have always had a devotion to Padre Pio because I feel we have shared similar experiences; maybe not as extreme as his, but similar,” said Father Garcia. “This was a priest who lived an extraordinary life ordinarily. He was the example of life, suffering and obedience.”

Father Garcia said he has witnessed great transformations among many of the parishioners whom he has commended to Padre Pio.

Desiring a child

Among his stories of devotions and miracles, he tells one of a woman, in her 30s at the time, who came to him during a baptism. The woman had survived cancer and doctors told her she would be barren, but she still desired to have children. She asked Father Garcia to intercede on her behalf with Padre Pio.

“I told her to ask him herself, and then I would talk to him,” recalled Father Garcia.

Months later, he heard that the woman was pregnant � and was not surprised. But the joyful news came wrapped with a hint of sadness. Because of her cancer, there was a possibility that the child would have birth defects.

“God doesn’t make botcheries,” Father Garcia told the woman and her family. “If he makes something, he makes it right, otherwise he doesn’t make it, and he already gave you the miracle. Let’s have faith.”

Months later, she gave birth to a healthy boy. He shares a birthday with Padre Pio: May 25.

Quitting smoking

Although her story in not as dramatic, Vicky Hall was among those who took part in the Mass.

A medical assistant at the University of Miami Hospital, and a parishioner of St. John Neumann in Miami, Hall faced a dilemma every time she came across a patient with respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

“How can I tell a patient to quit smoking when I’m a smoker myself?” she wondered. She had tried to quit using patches and gum but they did not work very well.

Since childhood, she had heard her mother talk about Padre Pio and his ability to help heal the sick. Growing up, she had developed a prayerful relationship with the saint, calling him “a very good friend.” This year, she decided to ask her friend to intervene.

“I asked him, ‘Padre Pio, there is a favor I need to ask, as a friend. Could you help me quit smoking? But please, be gentle and do it slowly,’” Hall recalled.

Gradually, she went from two packs a day to three to four cigarettes, then to one a day and eventually to none. She smoked her last one three months ago.

Her patients, family and friends commend her for her great faith, but in all humility she believes that hers remains small. Like many, she experiences fear, but she looks to the Lord and Padre Pio to help her face the challenges.

“You don’t run away, you face your fears,” said Hall. “You challenge yourself to grow up to be better and greater and to trust in the Lord.”

A “Christmas list” of intentions

Attorney Laura Fabar-Equels shared her testimony at the Mass. Visiting Pietrelcina had been a dream of her for a long time, and it came true in 2015. She saw Padre Pio’s resting place and presented him with what she described as a “Christmas list” of intentions � prayer requests from family and friends.  

“My husband and I visited the old church where Padre Pio used to give the Masses and we viewed the sanctuary,” said Fabar-Equels. “And I sat at the sanctuary with my husband and prayed for so many.”

Among her intentions: the health of her own mother, who was suffering from dementia and had become aggressive.

“I prayed and asked him, ‘Please, if you have time, these people are much more important, but if you have enough time left, please help my mother,’” Fabar-Equels recalled.

Within 24 hours, she called her mother, who did not know her daughter had gone on the trip. Fabar-Equels said her mother’s demeanor had changed. From that day forward, despite the medically documented dementia and aggression, her mother was never aggressive with her.

“I cannot thank Padre Pio enough because to be here sharing my testimony is my way of saying thank you,” said Fabar-Equels.

She has promised to contribute towards a statue of Padre Pio so that the community of St. Mary Cathedral can have an image of the saint closer to them.

“This is a priest that was in such a deep union with Christ crucified,” said Msgr. Oscar Castañeda, who concelebrated the Mass. “God used him as an instrument to show a deeper understanding of the Passion and I believe we all identify with him, because we all have to suffer and present our suffering to the Lord. I believe that there is such a devotion to the saint because his life demonstrates what it is to live through Christ, live with Christ and live in Christ.”