Padre Pio and the Struggle for Patience
Do you ever find yourself losing patience and thinking, “That’s just how I am”? You’re not alone — and you’re not unchangeable. Even saints wrestled with temper and impatience. One of the most inspiring examples comes from Padre Pio, whose fiery temperament became a path toward deep humility, gentleness, and love.
A Saint Who Knew His Weakness
Though admired for his holiness, Padre Pio was known to be strong-willed and, at times, quick-tempered. Yet, he never ignored this flaw. In a 1917 letter to his spiritual director, Father Benedetto, he confessed, “In intense anxieties, without meaning to, I am prone to acts of impatience. This challenge pierces my heart.”
A few years later, in 1920, he admitted the same struggle: “Sometimes I raise my voice a little in matters of correction. I know it is a weakness, but how can I avoid it if it happens without my realizing?” His honesty reminds us that growth in virtue takes humility and perseverance.
Learning from Spiritual Guidance
Father Benedetto’s response was both compassionate and wise. He encouraged Padre Pio not to despair over his outbursts but to transform them through humility. “If the Lord does not grant you continuous gentleness,” he wrote, “it is to leave you a foundation of holy humility. Each time you lose your temper, show twice as much gentleness afterward.”
This spiritual advice shaped Padre Pio profoundly. He worked tirelessly to become more aware of his tone and treatment of others, turning correction into compassion. Over time, he became the one advising others to approach situations with gentleness rather than harshness.
From Harshness to Heartfelt Kindness
In the 1930s, when Father Giovanni D’Abbaggio visited the friary at San Giovanni Rotondo, Padre Pio noticed how sternly he addressed others. With kindness, he told him, “You are too bitter, sometimes harsh. We must temper our words with gentleness.”
When Father Giovanni defended himself by saying people misjudged his serious nature, Padre Pio replied, “You have to change your character. Put kindness in your rebukes. It’s better to give a hundred corrections with gentleness than one harsh word.”
The True Meaning of Holiness
Padre Pio’s journey teaches that holiness is not about perfection — it’s about honest struggle and transformation. He didn’t excuse his temper; he faced it, brought it before God, and allowed divine grace to reshape him.
For anyone wrestling with impatience or anger, his example is a powerful invitation: stop saying “That’s just who I am.” Instead, begin praying for grace to respond with gentleness, even when it’s hard.
Just as Padre Pio transformed his fiery nature into compassionate strength, we too can turn our weaknesses into opportunities for spiritual growth. Every moment of frustration can become a step toward humility and peace.
