Padre Pio: The True Story

I have been riveted to every word written in this book about the great Saint Padre Pio. The man who wrote this book wasn’t even a Catholic! He was a protestant. It is simply a beautiful series of stories about this simple Franciscan who lived in the south of Italy. He was connected directly to Jesus Christ and the Madonna. There are so many witnesses and people who were blessed by the prayers and the intercession of Padre Pio. His mantra was always pray, hope, and don’t worry. I remember hearing about him in the 1960s because of his stigmata. But I never looked into it because I was a young man and not focused on God like I am today. I am so glad I read this book and learned about Padre Pio. It is very well written and a compelling narrative with wonderful stories of Padre Pio‘s battles and miracles. Also I learned about Pope Pius the 10th who I never knew about. Padre Pio really looked up to him because he was the pope when Padre Pio was young. What a great pope! Kind of like John Paul the second. If you are interested in the hereafter and if you want to increase your relationship with Jesus Christ and also increase it through the intersection of the blessed mother I am Ploor you to read this book. It is simply beautiful and important.

A Catholic friend introduced me to the story of Padre Pio. I tripped over this biography and it came to me to read it. I will be reading it again as it is a beautiful journey through the life story of a true saint that speaks to anyone on a spiritual path, Catholic or not.

I ordered this book for my mother. She wanted to read something about Padre Pio. So far she loves the book.

I read Ruffin's first edition on the life of Saint Pio which was exceptional. The third edition is also exceptional but more organized in sections with a lot of new information that Ruffin has gathered since the first edition. I'm not a Catholic; but I love Saint Pio. Ruffin presents Saint Pio as a human being with strengths and weaknesses; but also with the MIRACULOUS STIGMATA and the POWER TO PERFORM AMAZING MIRACLES. I really relate more to the humanness of Saint Pio. The fact that Saint Pio, as a very holy man, has imperfections; this has enabled me to be more self accepting of my humanness and limitations. Also, because I have had chronic pain from a bad back for the last 45 years; I can relate to Saint Pio also living with chronic pain from the STIGMATA wounds for 50 years. I feel that Saint Pio is my friend. I have his picture in my living room which inspires me to stay motivated on my spiritual journey through life.

Reading about his childhood was difficult to stay interested; however, once he became an adult that changed. I cannot believe what he lived through. Even though he was not healthy and "graced?" with stigmata he remained happy and loving always praising God and making extra prayer time. He was a remarkable man. No wonder he's now a Saint.

This is lengthy and highly detailed looking at the life of an extraordinary person. My wife and I read this aloud to each other. We often pause to discuss the way the “invisible world” intersects with our daily life. Not for everyone- but good for us. Padre Pio was an extreme contemplative who invites people to consider radical Christ-centered discipleship.

In a word, this book is outstanding. It is well researched and well annotated. It relies on primary and secondary sources. But is is not a dry history book; rather it is a fascinating account which interweaves the story of Padre Pio, the south of Italy and the Church. What is most important is that this is not a puff-piece by an adoring fan of Padre Pio, but a serious scholarly work which examines the extroardinary events surrounding Padre Pio's life (and where appropriate, calls out those that are fables or exaggerations concocted by his followers). ]Padre Pio is presented as a human being with extraordinary faith, and at times, extrordinary and unexplainable gifts. He is a pious man who suffered much in the early part of his ministry, but was also able to joke and laugh. He was often dogged by crowds of fans who would try to cut up his robes for souveniers, just as teen-aged girls might do to rock stars. Padre Pio brought Christ to many. He built a world-class hospital in the middle of nowhere. He is loved by people all over the world. He has a story which deserves to be told, and this book is the one to tell it.My Google search shows that the author is a Lutheran minister and a teacher. He has Yale Divinity School in his pedigree. His ability in research and writing is apparent in this book.

On our trip to Italy we went to San Giovanni Retondo and I heard Padre Pio for the first time from our tour guide. Being a Protestant was had never heard of him before. After hearing about him and touring the friary and the two churches and seeing him lying in state along with a king line of others and seeing the hospital, the knew I wanted to know more so bought this book.It is a great read. When done with it, I felt I knew Padre Pio. Even with the evenhanded treatment of his humanity and his saintliness, one cannot doubt this man loved God and people with all of his being.I loved the book and am glad I know Padre Pio closely now

Great book once I started to read this book of Padre Pio I couldn't put it down there were so many things in his life that I never knew before about him

I first bought the Padre Pio book: Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry, and was so inspired by it that I wanted to read more about this wonderful Saint. This book goes into a lot more detail about this wonderful Saint - his life, experiences and his precious spiritual gifts. Wonderful book!!

I am writing a review after many months infact.the book content is good but book was received in torn condition.

Good for spiritual life.

Scritto da un Luterano, la metodologia applicata è quella dell'indagine storicistica che presuppone la stretta verifica dei fatti. Ma l'incommensurabile grandezza del Santo è tale da convincere anche un Luterano la cui scelta è quella di subordinare la fede alla necessaria verifica di fatti che devono essere evidenti e documentati. Manca quel senso di stupore e devozione di fronte all'esperienza mistica che invece permea altre biografie di Padre Pio, tuttavia mi sento assolutamente di consigliarne la lettura perché a mio parere l'importanza del libro sta proprio nel fatto che sia stato scritto da parte per così dire "avversa" che non può fare altro che inchinarsi di fronte al mistero glorioso manifestatosi tramite la vita dell'umile frate cappuccino.