Padre Pio and America

by Frank M. Rega

First titled, The Holy Man on the Mountain , this book tells the fascinating life story of Padre Pio, with emphasis on his life as a seminarian, young priest and his early decades at San Giovanni Rotondo. Incredible is the number of times the Capuchins sent him home sick unto death while a seminarian and young priest and how he was finally sent to remote San Giovanni Rotondo “For a couple of weeks of mountain air.” He never left. But from this small, remote mountain friary, he became world famous and exercised unbelievable influence on the entire world—though early on, he was forbidden by his superiors to preach, to write or to correspond. A few clerics developed enmity toward Padre Pio, resulting several times in orders from his superiors that he be moved. It is simply hilarious to learn why ne never was—though being under obedience, he was entirely willing to do so.

The author also weaves in the Saint’s early work with L’Americana, Mary Pyle, his “foreign ambassadress,” and then with the American GI’s who came to visit him during WWII, with San Giovanni Rotondo was liberated from the Germans. Padre Pio developed a special love for Americans and America—to the point that he wished that all Americans would become his spiritual children.

This book demonstrate Padre Pio’s great love for his parents, his amazing sense of humor, his abstemious eating, his uncanny knowledge of people (even before they visited), and his profound supernatural awareness. In sum, Padre Pio and America is an inspiring book that will instill a profound awe in readers because it shows the impact a truly saintly priest can have on all who come into contact with him—and in Padre Pio’s case, even on the whole world!

“Your book is excellent! I found it hard to put down. . . . It is easy to commend your work. . . . The Lord reward you forever.” -Fr. Angelus M. Shaughnessy, O.F.M. Cap.

Genres: Catholic, Religion

352 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2005

Reviews

[Catherine Mohs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding summary of the life of Padre Pio. Also has the story of my grandpa's meeting with the saint too.

[Fides · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first several chapters are decent. The hagiography comes from secondary sources, but paints a picture of the early life of the saint well enough (aside from the author's occasional conversational exclamations that have no place in a published book).

Once you get to the chapters on Mary Pyle, the book takes a turn into irrelevance. It stops feeling like a hagiographical work and more like a disorganized collection of "Hey, I met him!" stories. It would have had a better title with "Padre Pio and Some Americans." The end of the book has a couple chapters promoting a few organizations devoted to St. Pio in America.

Overall, a very bizarre book.

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a fresh take to read about a Saint in large part through learning about the actions of those who encountered him. I especially enjoyed reading the letters and accounts of American soldiers who traveled to see Padre Pio during WWII while stationed in Italy, and how many of them went on to keep a friendship with the Saint and spread his devotion in America - many became priests themselves! I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who wanted to learn more about Padre Pio.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about this amazing saintly man. I especially loved reading about our service men stationed in Italy during WWII going to meet him and continuing their friendship after the war. And reading about the American heiress Mary Pyle who did so much to help him help others.

[Cj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful story, writing in this book is meh. Would love to read more about padre pio from different authors.

[Jenni Mesa-Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about this amazing man.

[sondra rathe · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read!

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Padre Pio was an incredible human and definitely a saint on earth. The book was a difficult read with all the jumping around in time and from story to story...