Padre Pio received many extraordinary gifts from God. In today's video,
we delve into one of these remarkable gifts: the gift of tears. Stay tuned to find out more.
Welcome back to our YouTube channel Following Padre Pio. If you are new to our channel,
Padre Pio was a Capuchin friar, mystic, and miracle worker whose intercession is still
very powerful and active today. We publish videos and shorts 5 days a week, so follow us to find out
more about the life of this fascinating saint, and you will be amazed at what Padre Pio can do
for you, a family member, or a friend! We have all heard that Padre Pio had
extraordinary gifts. For example, he had the gift of bilocation and could be in two places at once.
He could read his penitents' hearts. He also possessed the fragrance of holiness, so his
presence was accompanied by the scent of fresh flowers in the air. He performed many healing
miracles, and he received the most miraculous gift, the marks of Jesus Christ's passion, namely
the stigmata on his hands and feet. But have you ever heard about Padre Pio's gift of tears?
So, what exactly is the gift of tears, and what do they mean? Let me share the testimony of
Father Damazo from the time when he spent two months with Padre Pio in San Marco la Catola
when he was still a seminarian. He says: One night, we were praying silently in the choir,
I was next to him, on his right - I remember it all as if it were happening now.
Driven by devotion, with a share of curiosity, I silently put my finger on a large white
handkerchief that Brother Pio had by his side, and I thought of the gift of tears.
I removed my finger which was completely wet, as the handkerchief was soaked with tears.
From that moment on, something different arose in my soul.
(So many were the tears shed by Padre Pio that his handkerchief would become completely soaked!
Just imagine the immense volume of tears required to saturate a cloth to such an extent.
However, it doesn't end there.) Another testimony of the profound depth of Padre
Pio's tears comes from Father Antonio de San Giovanni Rotondo, the seminarians' tutor.
He vividly recalls how Padre Pio would shed tears to the point that they would gather and form a
small pool on the floor, particularly during prayer, and especially after receiving Communion.
When asked about the reason for these tears, Padre Pio always retreated into himself and remained
silent. But when Father Antonio finally compelled him to speak, Padre Pio answered: I weep,
he said, for my sins and those of mankind. Now, let's delve deeper into the subject of the
gift of tears so we can better understand this phenomenon. The English term 'gift
of tears' comes from the Latin phrase 'gratia lacrimarum.' It refers to a spiritual phenomenon
in which an individual experiences the gift of shedding tears during prayer or moments of
intense spiritual connection. These tears are not merely a result of physical or emotional factors
but are considered to be a manifestation of deep spiritual sentiments.
It is a special grace, a gift from God, bestowed upon certain souls, and we can see its existence
in both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. King David had this gift of tears while
praying to our Lord (Psalm 6:6), and in the New Testament, we know that our Lord Jesus
Christ wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-42). Another great example is Mary Magdalene,
who wept at the feet of our Lord in repentance (Luke 7:37-38). These are just a few examples
from the Holy Scriptures. We also have other sources referring to this gift.
For example, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross have written about the purifying effects
of tears in the journey of the soul toward union with God. These moments are regarded as a gift
from God and a sign of divine consolation. It is also worth mentioning that St. Anthony
the Great, the father of monks, who died in the 4th century also experienced the gift of tears.
(So, as you can see, the gift of tears has been recognized and documented throughout
Catholic history. It is often associated with feelings of contrition, repentance,
and a profound sense of God's presence and mercy. Padre Pio's life showed a strong presence
of this gift, to the point where it's believed that his eyes were
harmed by the large amount of tears he shed. (I vividly remember a time when I was deeply
blessed with the gift of tears while praying the rosary one morning. I wept out of repentance for
my past sinful life. I have also noticed a greater tendency to shed tears during prayer or spiritual
reading on days of fasting. Now, I would like to ask you, our viewers, if you have ever experienced
this profound gift. If you have, please share your testimony in the comment section below.)
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