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Imagine a moment where skepticism meets the extraordinary—a moment that transforms doubt into unwavering faith. This is the story of a man who initially sought to discredit Padre Pio, the revered Capuchin friar, mystic, and miracle worker, but ended up becoming one of his most fervent supporters. The journey of Alberto Del Fante, a well-known atheist and Mason, serves as a testament to the power of faith and the profound impact of Padre Pio’s intercession.
In the early 1930s, Padre Pio was a figure surrounded by controversy. Accusations against him were rampant, and many viewed him with suspicion and disbelief. Among these skeptics was Alberto Del Fante, who authored numerous articles denouncing Padre Pio as a “deceiver” and a “cunning man capable of fooling gullible people.” Del Fante’s writings for the Italian newspaper “Italia Laica” reflected his contempt for the friar, as he was determined to expose what he believed to be deceit.
However, a pivotal moment arrived that would challenge Del Fante’s skepticism and set him on an unexpected spiritual path. His beloved nephew, Enrico, fell gravely ill with kidney abscesses and symptoms of bone and pulmonary tuberculosis—a condition that posed a serious threat to his life. Desperate for help, two of Del Fante’s relatives decided to seek Padre Pio’s intercession, even though Del Fante himself was skeptical. Upon their return, they relayed Padre Pio’s reassuring words: “Everything will turn out well.”
Del Fante, ever the doubter, made a promise: if his nephew were miraculously healed, he would personally thank Padre Pio. Astonishingly, the child’s health took a sudden and remarkable turn for the better. True to his word, Del Fante travelled to meet Padre Pio, curious to see the man he had so vehemently opposed.
Upon his arrival, Del Fante’s initial impression was one of skepticism. He described his confession to Padre Pio as one made “without faith, without enthusiasm, as if I were standing before a priest like any other.” However, something extraordinary occurred during their encounter that left him utterly bewildered. Padre Pio seemed to know details about Del Fante’s life and his sins—details that no one could have known. Padre Pio addressed him directly: “You belong to an association that recognizes God but does not accept His ministers.” This statement struck a chord with Del Fante, as it revealed his affiliation with the Freemasons, something he had not disclosed.
The conversation that followed delved deep into philosophy, with Del Fante defending his atheistic views using arguments from renowned thinkers like Spinoza, Descartes, Stuart Mill, and Spencer. Despite his defiance, Del Fante found himself increasingly drawn to Padre Pio’s spiritual wisdom.
Before leaving San Giovanni Rotondo, Del Fante asked Padre Pio to pray for his wife, who was expecting a child. Padre Pio responded with a statement that left Del Fante astounded: “But will your wife have milk for the little one who is about to be born?” This was precisely the question Del Fante had intended to ask. Padre Pio then continued: “She will have milk indeed. It is right for a mother to breastfeed her baby, especially since for the last two, you had to hire a wet nurse.”
This uncanny knowledge of personal details that Padre Pio could not have known marked a turning point for Del Fante. It sowed the seeds of doubt about his own skepticism, prompting him to question whether Padre Pio was truly a deceiver or, indeed, a saint.
Despite his initial resistance, Del Fante began to visit Padre Pio regularly, each encounter chipping away at his skepticism. He wrote candidly about the internal struggle he faced, describing it as a battle between his long-held beliefs and the undeniable experiences he was having: “I fought, I cried with rage…” Yet, as time passed, his defenses began to crumble, and he found himself increasingly drawn to the faith he once scorned.
Del Fante’s conversion was neither sudden nor easy; it was a gradual transformation marked by sincere introspection and spiritual awakening. He later described his journey: “I was a Freemason, an atheist, I didn’t believe in anything. Padre Pio gave me a new life from every point of view. Today I pray, I go to church on Sundays. I am happy to see my children make the sign of the cross before meals to thank God for the bread he provides us. Now I receive the sacraments and rejoice while I await Communion. He who has the courage to embrace faith understands my happiness. God grants everything to those who love Him.”
Del Fante’s transformation is reminiscent of the conversion of St. Paul, who, though initially opposed to Christianity, became one of its greatest apostles following his encounter with Our Lord Himself. Like St. Paul, Del Fante was sincere in his error, and his encounter with Padre Pio led to a profound spiritual awakening. He became the official chronicler of San Giovanni Rotondo, documenting the testimonies of forty-seven individuals who had experienced Padre Pio’s intercession, often supported by medical certificates. His book, “From Doubt to Faith,” became a powerful testament to the miraculous influence of Padre Pio.
Del Fante’s story is a vivid illustration of Padre Pio’s incredible impact on those who encountered him. It demonstrates how doubt can be transformed into faith and hostility into devotion through genuine encounters with the divine. For Del Fante, what began as a quest to discredit a saint ended in a deep, personal conversion that changed his life forever. His story is not just a tale of one man’s spiritual journey; it is a testament to the power of faith and the enduring influence of Padre Pio.
Alberto Del Fante’s journey from skepticism to faith shows that even the most ardent doubters can experience profound transformation when faced with the undeniable presence of divine grace. His life, once marked by atheism and hostility towards religion, was ultimately reshaped by the extraordinary intercession of a humble Capuchin friar—a man whom he once sought to discredit but came to venerate.
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