Saint Pio's Intercession Prayer

Gracious God, You generously blessed Your servant, Padre Pio, with the gifts of the Spirit. You marked his body with the five wounds of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness to the saving Passion and Death of Your Son, and as a stirring inspiration to many people of Your infinite mercy, forgiveness and love.

In the confessional, Padre Pio labored endlessly for the salvation of souls. Through his prayerful intercession, many who suffered were healed of sickness and disease. Endowed with the gift of discernment, he could read people's hearts. From the blood of his wounds came a perfumed fragrance, a special sign of Your Holy Presence. With dignity and intense devotion, he celebrated daily Mass, inviting countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Through the intercession of Saint Pio, I confidently beseech You to grant me the grace of (here state your petition). Help me to imitate his example of prayerful holiness and compassion, so that I, too, may faithfully follow the Risen Lord, and one day rejoice in the Kingdom, where You live and reign forever and ever.

AMEN.
Prayer Source: Saint Pio of Pietrelcina by Capuchin Franciscan Friars, Capuchin Franciscan Friars, 2003

Padre Pio was born as Francesco Forgione on 25 May, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy, to a  peasant family. At 15 he joined the Capuchin Franciscan Friars, and in 1910 was ordained as a priest. Assigned to the Friary in San Giovanni Rotondo in central Italy, on September 1916 where he lived for the rest of his life.

After celebrating morning Mass On 20 September, 1918, after celebration of morning mass, during his prayers of thanksgiving before the Crucifix, Padre Pio received the "Stigmata". His hands, feet and side were pierced with the nail marks and the lance wound of the Crucified Christ. Doctors estimated he lost a cup of blood bleeding every day in the 50 years. His five wounds were deep, bleeding and painful, but completley free of inflammation and swelling.

Millions of people attended his Masses. He received letters from believers all over the world who asked for his saintly counsel in their times of distress and mjisfortune. Many were attracted to his confessional, where he celebrated the Sacrament of Penance for as many as 16 hours a day. People waited as long as two weeks to have him hear their confession, for they perceived in Padre Pio the true heart and soul of the Gospels, expressed in a simple and uncomplicated manner. His whole life was marked by long hours of prayer, continual sacrifice, and strict austerity. He had a very deep union with God, a burning love for the Holy Eucharist, and a fervent devotion to Our Blessed Mother.

Padre Pio was called to the heavenly kingdom on 23 September, 1968 and canonized a Saint by Pope John Paul II on 16 June, 2002.