| "Give my regards to the
people of Pietrelcina, that I always keep them in my heart. The blessings of our
Lord come down abundantly on all the people and all that make to themselves eternal
promises.” Padre Pio
Pietrelcina
Pietrelcina, Italy, is an agreeable and pleasant little town near
Benevento in Southern Italy. It is about 300 meters above sea level and built on a plain
surrounded by scenery formed of low hills and little rivers that go down toward the
Tammaro Valley.
The land produces many products including wheat, tobacco, artichokes and olive trees. The
heart of Pietrelcina is placed on a little hill called: “La Morgia”, made
of calcareous rock. In the center of old Pietrelcina is the quarter
called “Castello”. It’s the place that saw the little Francesco
Forgione, the future Padre Pio, grow up and run around the little courts and lanes.
It was on one of these lanes, “Vico Storto Valle”, that in 1909, a very
ill Padre Pio came back from the convent and took up residence in Torretta, meaning
“little tower”, because it's like a little turret between the ground and the
sky. He came and lived in a room with only a bed, a little table, and very
little else. Here he lived deeply his wonderful relation with God. This is where
Padre Pio would write his letters to his spiritual directors. Here is also where he began
to fight the devils every night and day.
Jesus, Our Lady, St.Joseph and St.Francis, appeared him in this room.
Pietrelcina would be remembered as the place where God prepared Padre Pio to be a
missionary for the world.
|
