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Fides Entrepreneurship: Book giveaway, Testimonies of Padre Pio
Luca Zocche
November 11, 2025
Padre Pio telling a penitent to get out of the confessional
Growing up as a child it was of key importance every second summer for us to travel to the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, the town where Padre Pio resided between 1916 and his death in 1968.
It was not for the plain fact that Padre Pio played a role on the lives of many but more specifically of my grandfather and father.
Every time we’d go in the summer we’d recollect the reasons of why it was important.
Me and my sister would hear stories here and there about how Padre Pio would know things about people (a gift from God) and guide them on the right path in times of trouble but we really never knew in detail the miracles people experienced other than some family stories.
My sister and I would hear fragments of stories about how Padre Pio, through a special gift from God, could perceive the struggles of people’s hearts and gently guide them back to the right path. Yet, as children, we didn’t fully grasp their meaning, only that they spoke of something mysterious and deeply good.
Later I learned that even Padre Pio’s own father had once worked in Pennsylvania for 4 ywars to support his son’s vocation, a small detail that somehow made our own journeys feel part of the same thread of faith, sacrifice, and perseverance across generations.
Some of those very same stories are included in the book you’ll receive at this week’s event on Thursday.
They really capture the essence of what Padre Pio is truly about. He would advise many on topics from lying, to dancing leading to sin, theft to even the care of one’s children (of not sending them to boarding school for example).
Here are 3 that truly stand out and show the inner workings of God through the Padre:
Paolo Perrone came from Sicily to San Giovanni Rotondo in December 1948. After confessing he said he was worried because he thought he had pleurisy, having had a constant pain in the shoulder. Padre Pio listened and said: “And do you want to live with this worrying my son? Put your faith in God. Look, I have rotten lungs and yet I’m still living”.
And after a pause, he put his hands on the man’s shoulder and said: “Besides, does it hurt you know?”. The man waited a while before answering, because he couldn’t have any doubt about his constant pain. The Padre repeated the question: “But does it hurt or not?”. And Perrone, after a minute’s hesitation, examining himself carefully had to admit that in that moment he felt not pain whatsoever. So the Padre said: “There have you seen??! And the penitent return home cured.
2.Non-fulfillment of marital vows (page 133)
One day a women left the Friary to go to her hotel, Villa Maria, she was sobing her heart out. To those who asked her what had upset and pained her so much, she was unable to say a word. When she finally calmed down she said, still with tears in her eyes. “Padre Pio sent me away from confession because I said my husband didn’t want children. He shouted “He will get cancer"!” And to the people who tried to console her she added with terror in her eyes “My husband already has cancer, he already has it”.
3.Theft (even cheating in this case (page 174))
To a penitent who falsified to his advantage goods delivery receipts, the saint didn’t even give the time to kneel down and shouted at him “Get out you thief…! Go and repair the damage that you have done to your town”.
The man returned to his town and put things straight, risking being reported to the Police and losing his job. After two or three months he returned to San Giovanni Rotondo to confess. When he was at Padre Pio’s feet he quickly confessed he had stolen, expecting that the Padre would add more to what he had said before but the Holy Confessor just asked him to continue his confession and at the end gave him absolution. The penitent was amazed by Padre Pio’s indulgence and almost not believing asked “Father do you recognise me?”.
“A face like yours, once seen is not forgotten” said God’s servant. In the answer as well as the assurance to go in peace because he had really been forgiven there was still a warning.”
Conclusion
These three stories reveal not only the depth of God’s love and mercy, but also the responsibility we each have to live according to His will — whether in being open to life within marriage or acting with honesty and integrity in our daily dealings.
They also remind us how near to our own time Padre Pio’s example truly is. Having passed away only in 1968, his life stands as a living testament that God continues to work powerfully in our world today, guiding, healing, and correcting those who seek Him — even when many doubt His presence.
We truly hope you are able to join us this Thursday where you will each receive a complimentary copy of this book from our sponsor, Edizioni Padre Pio.
Thursday, Nov 13th at 7PM
Location: 238 Thompson Street, 10012, New York, New York
Upcoming events
Thursday December 4th 2025 at 19:00
Our December Speaker is Rob Kaczmark, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Spirit Juice Studios, an Emmy Award-winning creative firm dedicated to spreading the Gospel through media.
Rob’s story is one of faith, creativity, and conviction. From his roots in youth ministry and BMX culture (punk rock, tattoos, ect) to building one of the most recognized Catholic media production company in the country, which has worked with Jonathan Roumie, Hallow, Bishop Baron and Mark Wahlberg.
During COVID, when churches were closed, Rob and his team livestreamed daily Masses from their in-office chapel, offering hope to thousands. His short films like The Veil Removed to launching a Catholic kids’ channel on YouTube continue to shape how Catholics experience and share their faith.
“A small little video, a livestream Mass or Divine Mercy hits the right person at the right time… Sometimes even just the appearance of someone on camera praying that looks a little different can bring someone in.”
Rob will share:
How his creative journey led to founding Spirit Juice Studios
Why incorporating a chapel into his office and offering mass there changed his company’s culture
How media can be used to plant seeds of faith in unexpected places
This Talk will take place at The Catholic Center at NYU in Lower Manhattan*.
We are deeply thankful to the support of Father Cassian and his team for making this possible!
Sign up here to confirm your attendance. *Location subject to change.
If you are an NYU Student or work for the university please reach out to us to get a free ticket, at [email protected] .
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Founded in 2005, Roots Run Deep was very kind to sponsor us with some of their Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Founded in 1888, The Catholic Herald transitioned from a weekly newspaper to a monthly magazine in 2014, bringing in-depth Catholic journalism to a modern audience.
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We cannot thank enough Monte’s for sponsoring our Nov 13th event!
Monte's Trattoria is an Italian institution in New York City, boasting a rich and storied history that spans over a century. Established in the early 20th century, the trattoria has become a symbol of Italian-American culture and cuisine in the heart of New York.
Edizioni Padre Pio da Pietrelcina is the official Capuchin publishing house in San Giovanni Rotondo, created to preserve and spread the authentic life and spirituality of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
It publishes his letters, official biographies, and other spiritual works while also offering religious articles. Working closely with Voce di Padre Pio, Tele Radio Padre Pio, and Padre Pio TV, it forms part of a broader Capuchin mission to communicate Gospel values and continue Padre Pio’s legacy of faith, charity, and evangelization through modern media.
If you are interested in becoming one of our sponsors please reach out to us at [email protected]