Padre Pio is known as the priest with the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ, which he bore for fifty years. They are many books telling of his miracles, healings, spiritual gifts of bilocation, reading of consciences, prophecies, and many more. There are none written specifically on the theology of Padre Pio--the spiritual principles he lived by. These principles can be summed up in the understanding of Redemptive Suffering. It was "the way of Padre Pio." In his own words, St. Pio tells us how to love the Mass, his participation in the Mass, the Madonna, how to pray, to survive the Dark Night, as well as its purpose, the importance of purgatory, and how to use the pain in our life to sanctify ourself and others. Most importantly, he tells us why God allows suffering, its purpose in our lives, and how to heal others with it. Any spiritual child of Padre Pio who seeks to know and understand this saint will find, in simple words, how to live out the spiritual principles he lived by.
Filled with over four hundred citations and sixty references from St. Pio and other Redemptive Suffering saints, such as St. Faustina Kowalska, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and St. Teresa of Avila, The Way of Padre Pio is well documented. Each saint offers their understanding and experiences of suffering and how they used it to live joyous lives, and not only live joyously but heal others with it.
The Way of Padre Pio weaves the basic tools of Redemptive Suffering--penance and reparation, which take the form of suffering and sacrifice--into common areas of life and how to use them to sanctify ourself and others. It is how to live the Redemptive Life in all circumstances and answer Mary's call at Fatima to offer ourselves as Victims for the salvation of the world.
There are additional resources through the website, friendsofpadrepio.com, that include bookmarks, prayers, and reading materials, as well as how to begin a prayer group at your parish.
