Fr Billy Swan
I remember as a child growing up, hearing of an Italian Cappuchin friar who bore the five wounds of Christ on his body – on his hands, his feet and one on his side. His name was Padre Pio, now known as Saint Pio who was canonized in June 2002 by Pope John Paul II. Like most people, I had a great interest in this miraculous phenomenon of the stigmata and the possible reason why the wounds of Jesus appeared on this holy man's body. I discovered that although extremely rare, the wounds of Christ were also borne by St Paul, St Francis of Assisi and St Catherine of Siena. As I grew older, I began to appreciate that there is far more to the life and witness of St Pio than his stigmata as I discovered on visiting San Giovanni Rotondo and Pietrelcina several times as a private pilgrim and then as part of a parish pilgrimage from St Aidan’s, Enniscorthy in 2014. He was a gifted confessor, man of prayer and founder of the a hospital called 'The House of the Relief of Suffering' at San Giovanni which has grown to be one of the biggest diagnostic hospitals of Europe.
Yet, the stigmata of St Pio that he bore for half a century, still intrigues me and countless more. His wounds were often studied by physicians and experts- none of whom could explain them or offer a reason why they never became infected. Neither could they produce a theory as to how a man could lose blood constantly for decades without suffering any noticeable ill effects.
The story of Padre Pio and the stigmata began shortly after his ordination to the priesthood on 7th September 1910. The theology of ordination then as it is now, is that the man being ordained priest is configured at the level of his being to Christ crucified and risen, the Good Shepherd and Head of the Church. Yes, every priest can and does sin as we have seen from the scandals. Many have sinned in the most horrendous way. Yet, the scandal of sin and crimes by priests is intensified because the priest has acted in a way contrary to his true calling as someone who is meant to be identified totally with the person of Christ.
Within about a month of his ordination, Padre Pio was deep in prayer one day when he is said to have experienced an apparition of both Jesus and Mary. It was then he received the stigmata for the first time. His doctors were astounded and confused and could not explain these wounds on his body. For Padre Pio himself, he prayed that the wounds would be taken from him - not because he didn't want to suffer in the way Christ suffered but because he wanted to suffer in silence and not draw attention to himself. His wish was granted and the outward signs of the stigmata on his body disappeared. However, in July 1918, Pio was again at prayer, this time before a crucifix and had a vision of the wounded Christ who pierced his side just as his own side had been pierced by the Roman soldier’s lance as he hung on the cross. This wound was not just spiritual or psychological but physical. Shortly afterwards, a gash actually appeared on his side which caused him great pain and suffering.
A short time later again, another four wounds appeared on his hands and feet. From this moment, the stigmata remained visible during his earthly life and for the next fifty years he bore the wounds of Christ constantly and until he died on the 23rd September 1968. After his death the stigmata which he had borne for over half a century disappeared and for the first time in anyone's memory of Padre Pio, his body was at last whole.
So, what is the meaning of this sign from God and what does it say to us today? Here I offer a few thoughts. In the Western tradition of Christianity, we have a strong emphasis on the imitation of Christ, following Christ, and practicing his virtues of faith hope and love. This all good, necessary and Scripturally based. For Eastern Christians, while they acknowledge the importance of imitating Christ’s love, they rightly point to participating in Christ’s love, sharing in both his humanity and divinity and how the Christian is deeply and spiritually conformed to Christ Jesus by the gift of the Holy Spirit. A central Scriptural quote that supports this mystical union with Christ is from St Paul who was so united to the Lord that he wrote: ‘It is no longer I who live but Christ whom lives in me’ (Gal. 2:20). This means that the baptised Christian’s soul and nature are called to be united and conformed to the person and nature of Jesus Christ to such an extent that there is an outward and visible manifestation of this profound union. Therefore, for St Paul, it is no coincidence that in the same letter to the Galatians where he speaks about total conformity to Christ, he also talks about his own stigmata: ‘From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus’ (Gal. 6:17).
Therefore, while it is unlikely that any of us will bear the stigmata, and while the physical wounds of Christ may not appear on our bodies, what it important is that we reflect on how the life of Christ shows itself outwards in our lives. How can we show Christ to all and not just follow him or imitate him? If Christ lives in us, do we take the time in prayer each day to let that mystery sink in – the truth of our faith that reminds how the Son of God has made his home in us and is more intimately present to us that we could possibly imagine.
This is why Padre Pio’s stigmata is a sign of how God leads us to a more visible and intimate communion with Him every day. On the feast of St Pio, this is what we pray for and desire.
One of the gloves of St Pio will be present in St Aidan's Church, Ferns during a Mass of healing on Friday 25th October at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
Comments