And in today's story we would like to know what Padre Pio was doing at the door of the
Holy Office all the way in Rome.
So, we know that at one point Padre Pio suffered some credibility issues from those around
him, and how this is all linked together.
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And today we have this account given to us by Father Alberto de D Apolito, relating to
the court of the holy office, in which Padre Pio was having some credibility issues at
a certain point in his life.
And so, some people, they were opposed to Padre Pio, to his incredible supernatural
life.
They couldn't believe that it was true and therefore they had to try and silence Padre
Pio; to have him banned.
In 1970, after the death of Padre Pio, Father Alberto tells us this: I went to Collevalenza
where I was able to meet with Mother Hope, and she was a Spanish nun, and she was quite
well known.
She's very well known in spirit, of Spanish origin as we said.
She was also a stigmatist who died with a reputation for great holiness, and that it
was in 1983 when she passed away.
And Father de D Apolito and she had a discussion, which I would have classified at any other
time as been mind-blowing or simply crazy, if he had not been convinced of her sanctity.
This was the conversation: Mother, I said to her, I am a Capuchin from
Saint Giovanni Rotondo, that is Padre Pio s monastery, and I don't want to take up any
of your time.
I only ask you to pray for the beatification of Padre Pio.
Then he says, she raised her eyes and fixed them on me and replied,
I have always prayed for him.
Have you met him?
I asked.
Yes!
Mother Hope replied.
I ve seen him many, many times.
In saint Giovanni Rotondo?
No, I ve never been there to Saint Giovanni Rotundo.
Where then?
I wanted to know.
In Rome.
was her answer.
Which really surprised Father de D Apolito.
But mother, that is not possible, because Padre Pio only went to Rome once and that
was in 1917, and that was to accompany his sister to the convent, St Bridget.
And at that time you were in Spain, so you must be mistaken, having confused some other
Capuchin for Padre Pio.
I m not wrong, no she insisted, it was him.
But when did you see Padre Pio in Rome?
And then mother hope told him it was in the court of the holy office, and every day for
a whole year.
It was definitely him, because he wore fingerless gloves.
We greeted each other, I kissed his hand, and sometimes we even spoke.
This happened, she said between 1937 and 1939, so that was directly before the second world
war, when she was in service at the holy office.
Then he said, Mother don't take this the wrong way, if I say that it is difficult for me
to believe this.
And so, she replied, You are free to think whatever you want, she answered with great
sweetness, he added, but I do repeat that I have seen Padre Pio every day in Rome for
a whole year.
And then she added, I ve always prayed for him, and now I also pray for his glorification.
And we see here that the only reason that Father Alberto gave for the credibility of
the story was that Mother Hope had a reputation for great holiness, and she also carried the
stigmata on her hands.
But it is interesting, that even a great saint like Padre Pio would have to go to another
saint to ask for prayers in his times of need.
Next time on this channel we can have a look at the story of Padre Pio and the Transverberation,
in which an angel appeared to Padre Pio and, filling him with the love of Christ from then
on.
So please, do join us for that video next time.
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