Padre Pio: Four Inspiring Stories from His Early Life
The story of Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione, is often surrounded by tales of miracles and holiness. Yet, before he became a renowned Capuchin friar and miracle worker, he was simply a boy experiencing the ordinary joys and challenges of rural life. These four lesser-known stories from Padre Pio’s youth and early adulthood reveal the faith, humility, and extraordinary spirit that would later define his sainthood.
The Well Dug by Francesco
As a child in Piana Romana, near his hometown of Pietrelcina, Francesco witnessed his father’s struggle to find water on their family land. After several failed attempts, young Francesco assured his father, Grazio, that water would surface at a spot Jesus had shown him. Trusting his son, Grazio dug at the indicated location, and miraculously, water gushed forth just a few meters down. Today, this well still stands as a testament to the faith and innocence of Padre Pio during his earliest years.
The Monk with a Beard
At around ten years old, Francesco was deeply moved when he met Brother Camillo, a Capuchin friar, who visited his village asking for alms. The image of the humble friar with a long beard and bare feet inspired him to declare, “I want to become a monk with a beard.” This pivotal encounter set him on the path to religious life—a calling he would faithfully follow.
First Signs of the Stigmata: Do You Play the Guitar?
Years later, after realizing his dream of becoming a friar, Francesco (now Padre Pio) experienced the first pains of the stigmata while at Piana Romana. One day, his mother asked him if he played the guitar, noticing how he shook his hands as though they were burning. Unbeknownst to her, he was suffering from the mysterious wounds that would become part of his legacy.
Providential Blessing: Padre Pio’s First Miracle
In 1912, a plague of lice threatened to devastate the broad bean harvest in Piana Romana. At the request of a desperate farmer, Padre Pio blessed the fields, and lice were seen falling from the plants to the earth. Soon, more farmers sought his intercession, and the harvest was not only saved but also abundant—an early sign of the miracles to come.
These powerful stories highlight the early faith and gentle influence of Padre Pio in the lives of those around him. Shaped by humble beginnings, he would go on to inspire millions around the world, transforming ordinary moments into enduring legacies of hope and faith.
