I recently prayed to God for a conversion of a dying soul and that of his family. So deep were the hurts in this family that I began to despair that the family would reconcile with their father before he passed. Although I prayed in earnest and tried to move people with my words, it seemed the cause was lost.
I then pleaded as many people and Catholic organizations as I could to storm heaven for reconciliation. Again, I fell in deep despair as no one was changing and time was running short.
I worried incessantly and lay awake many nights.
Finally, I decided to include fasting with my prayers. Jesus says, “This kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting,” one of the accepted variants of Mark 9:29. In the end, the family did come together. Siblings who had been at odds hugged. All came to speak comforting words their dying father. It was a beautiful experience in the midst of sorrow.
In retrospect, I see how powerful prayer, penance, and fasting are to convert hearts. It only leads me to try (in my poor way) to imitate prayer and penance of one of my favorite saints, St. Pio, whose feast is September 23.
St. Pio was a friend of suffering and prayer. He knew how to combine his penances with God’s peace. He bore the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, for 50 years and knew how to live at peace. When agitated over something serious, I remember his words:
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”
What solace these words bring! The man was beaten up by the devil hated by some members of the church, and besieged by followers who attempted to steal pieces of his habit. And yet, he was at peace! He lived those words: pray, hope and don’t worry. So you and I, whose lives are less complicated, can do the same.
“Worry is useless.” What can worry bring — sleepless nights, anxiety, over- or under-eating, ulcers? This is why it is useless. Worry has no power to change the outcome of anything! It just zaps our energy.
I don’t remember how old I was when I first heard about Padre Pio, but I was always impressed with his story. My only knowledge of him was that he bore the stigmata on his hands, feet and sides. He attracted me instantly and over many years I began to know more about this fantastic saint.
Francesco Forgione, his birth name, was a very pious child who was often visited by angels and demons by the age of five. His father sacrificed by going to America to work so he could support Francesco’s schooling costs. Before being ordained, he suffered internally and externally. He endured high fevers, lung and stomach problems, and intense back and chest pain that had no apparent cause or cure. Pio was sent home to rest and recover. (Source) Finally in 1910, he was ordained a priest.
He received the temporary stigmata in 1910 and the permanent wounds in 1918. (Source) The Lord told him he would suffer with the wounds for 50 years.
Some the spiritual gifts the good Lord blessed him include bilocation, reading of hearts, sanctity of odor, and miracles. St. Pio spent 10-12+ hours a day in the confessional healing the souls of many, depending on which website you research. (Source) He spent a life of prayer and penance until his death in 1968. I can’t help but love him for his love of God.
We will probably never understand what sufferings the good Padre endured, but we can offer our sufferings as he did for the salvation of souls, the answer to prayer, or in thanksgiving. I try to offer my pains as well as my joys to the Lord. This practice certainly moves mountains.
In addition, I urge you all to have confidence like this holy Capuchin priest to “pray, hope, and don’t worry.” I can attest that I have seen this method work in my life and it can work in yours as well!
Finally, wear the joy of the Lord on your face as a signal to others! A happy Christian is an authentic one!
Copyright © 2013, Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell
Mary Mitchell, from Chicago, is a devout Catholic who likes to mix the divine truth with humor. She thinks it's the only way we can get through this life! Mary is the mother of three and has been married to her husband, Philip, more than 20 years. She has attempted to live the vows as a Secular Franciscan for about 20 years, but has a long way to go.
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