Have you ever wondered how angels make their presence known? How do
they let us know that they are here for us? Stay tuned to hear the testimonies.
Welcome to our YouTube channel, Following Padre Pio, about the Capuchin Friar,
mystic and miracle worker whose intercession is still very powerful and active today. We
publish videos three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 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. The story of Mr. Milo's encounter with an angel on
his deathbed was recounted in a letter from his wife, Mrs. Ahrens, and published in the book,
Send Me Your Guardian Angel by Father Alessio Parente. Mrs. Ahrens wrote that her husband
was very ill and in great pain, as his body was consumed by cancer and his vision and hearing were
severely affected. However, two weeks before he passed away, something beautiful happened.
Mrs. Ahrens, her daughter and her nephew, Father Frank Bognanno, visited Mr. Milo in the hospital.
They knelt around Milo's bed while Father Frank led him in prayer and they began to sing songs
of Thanksgiving. As they sang, Mrs. Ahrens closed her eyes along with the others present,
as was their usual way of praying. Mrs. Ahrens wrote in her letter,
"We were singing Hallelujah and another male voice joined us in beautiful harmony. The door was open
and I assumed that their voice, coming from my right side, was my son who had come to see his
father. We sang several verses and received a blessing for the peace of spiritual love that
surrounded us. When we finished our song, I turned to greet my son and found no one."
Mrs. Ahrens experienced a sudden overwhelming emotion that left her in tears.
"Tears started to roll down my face. My daughter asked me if something was wrong. I couldn't
explain the crying." She further added, "Maybe they were tears given for receiving the blessing,
because someone had been there. I felt, heard and participated in
something beautiful that I couldn't explain. The others also shared the same sentiment,
feeling that something extraordinary had happened. They had all heard the beautiful and harmonious
voice. Mr. Milo then said that an angel had been among them, and they had sung in harmony.
Mrs. Ahrens ends the letter, "This was a wonderful and memorable
experience because my husband passed away 10 days after the appearance of
the angel. How precious it is to know that our guardian angels are always with us."
Father Alessio reflects, Did an angel truly visit Mr. Milo on his deathbed?
As I ponder this question, the words of Father Pio come to mind. He once spoke to Raffaelina Cerase,
and said, At the moment of death, the soul will behold the good angel who had accompanied them
throughout life and who had shown such great maternal love. Will our own angels come to us
on our deathbed? If we accept Father Pio's words, then it is possible that Mr. Milo's angel was with
him as he approached the end of his life." End of quote.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that angels are spiritual creatures who serve
as messengers of God, sent to accomplish his will. Some of the specific roles of angels,
as out outlined in the Catechism, include serving as guardians for individuals, guiding
and protecting them throughout their lives, and accompanying them at the moment of death.
Angels are also present during times of worship and praise. (CCC 328-336). Nations also have
their own Guardian Angels. For example, at Fatima St. Michael The Archangel appeared
to the three shepherd children saying, "I am the Guardian Angel of Portugal."
There is no explicit mention in the Catechism that angels sing. However, in the Bible,
there are several references to angels singing such as in Luke (2:13-14), where a multitude of
heavenly host sing, "Glory to God in the highest," announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.
Additionally, there are references to singing and music in heaven,
such as in Revelation (5:9-14), where the elders and living creatures sing a new song to the Lamb.
So, according to biblical accounts, angels express their praise to God through song, and in the
stories of Father Pio, we find testimony of their presence and their beautiful singing voices.
Father Alessio shares two of these accounts. On one occasion, at the Convent of Our Lady
of Grace, a number of friars heard a type of celestial music; voices singing in beautiful
harmony, but they could not explain where they were coming from. At that time of day, no one was
singing in the church. So they turned to Father Pio to see if he could give them any answer.
He was absorbed in prayer at that moment and jumping at the sound
of the friar's voices, he replied, "Why are you so surprised? These are
the voices of the angels who are taking the souls of purgatory to paradise."
The priests were left speechless at this revelation, but their hearts were filled
with joy as they reflected on the wondrous experience they had just encountered.
On another occasion, two young spiritual sons of Father Pio were sitting on a beach on a summer
afternoon. Suddenly they heard mysterious voices coming from the direction of the
Gargano Mountain, and as they listened, the voices became gradually clearer.
The voices they heard were described as other-worldly, as if they came from heaven itself;
a heavenly choir whose beautiful melodies they had never before experienced. The music lifted
their souls, transported them to greater heights, as they recognized the voices singing the litany
of the Holy Rosary in praise of Our Lady. Gradually, the celestial music began to lower
until it could no longer be heard. The two young men were mute; they simply could not understand
what had happened, but everything became quite clear when they went to visit Father Pio.
They asked him what that singing could have been, and he replied,
"Silly children, don't you understand? They were angels who were praising our
lady from the top of the Convent. Thank God for the special grace you have received!"
In conclusion, the accounts of the presence and beautiful singing of angels in the stories
of Father Pio, the biblical references, and at Fatima, remind us of the reality of the spiritual
world and the role of angels in our lives. They are not only messengers of God,
but also singers of his praises. Even if we may not see or hear them, we can be confident that
they are always with us, fulfilling their divine duties, and providing us guidance
and protection beyond our comprehension. These stories give us hope and comfort in
the knowledge that we are never truly alone in this world.
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And stay tuned for the next video on the life of Father Pio.