Padre Pio's Spiritual Direction for Every Day

by Gianluigi Pasquale, Marsha Daigle-Williamson (Translator)

"Take concern to have your heart be more pleasing to our Master day by day." —Padre Pio in a letter to Antonietta Vona, January 2, 1918 Padre Pio is many different things to different people. This Italian saint, also known as Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Franciscan Capuchin, Catholic priest, friar, teacher, mystic, and maybe most famously, a stigmatist. In August of 1918, he began to bear the wounds of Christ that would come and go over a period of weeks and to this day cannot be explained. The wounds would soon become permanent and remain on his body for the next 50 years. Suffering these wounds which lead him to devote his life’s work to continuing Jesus’ work of redemption and wholeheartedly embraced his role as a spiritual leader to many.  Padre Pio is celebrated for his understanding of the spiritual life and the struggles we all face. The letters he wrote to his spiritual directors and to the many people who sought his advice are an immense source of direction and encouragement. The collection in this book of 365 daily reflections drawn from those letters offers inspiration for every day of the year. Let Saint Pius of Pietrelcina share his wisdom with you and become your guide to holiness. “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” —Padre Pio

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Christianity, Religion, Spirituality

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2011

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm......

Where to begin?

These series of letters have been an up and down battle for the past month.
Why?

Here are minor issues that i have come across within this book.

First. The translation is absolutely, utterly and disgustingly polluted with contemporary language. It is not true to the Italian language or the meaning that Saint Pio perhaps wanted to convey. Langauge is tricky. Especially when converting from one language (like italian) which is so expressive into another language like English which (is plain and obscure).

An example of this is seen in the letter of pio to pope Paul VI!!! Oh dear me. What a problem
Where to begin. I will not write much - this is giving me a headache as it is. The letter is I think the only letter pio wrote apparently to Paul VI. The author has put it on September 12 corresponding to the date (they are trying to be daint - how nice 🧐🤔🤔). Now within one of the sentences the author has translated it as pio prays for his order to be "renewing itself in its inner vitality of spirit in according to the directives of vatican council II...."

Now this did not sound right. So i do my research. Here is the correct letter. Read it yourself. https://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/PIO...

The terms "vatican council II" are not even mentioned. Already when reading this so called original letter I noticed the difference in language and translation. (I donot even know whether Pio actually this or not - after reading his letters a while you notice the way he writes. Does not sound like him).

So; this translation fits in with the introduction which when I first read it had raised my eye brows. The author mentions that he did not know pio and then being on one occasion forced to know pio notices that pio is "young and contemporary"..... so already i sensed this intention of contemporariness.... (not a word i know) with this mans choice and use of pios letters. I ignored this remark for the sake of my sanity. But it kept popping up from time to time with the language barrier problem and with other such things that did not make sense in the excerpts.

Second. It is a 365 day "spiritual direction" which contain cut out excerpts from his letters - posing an imminent problem. On the first hand, one cannot truly understand what the bonkers pio is talking about when there is a short excerpt. The excerpt of the letter obviously follows from previous sentences concerning certain spiritual problems about what the person (whether himself or the recipient he is writing to) is talking about. Which then leads to the other problem. I donot know what these recipients have written about. I donot know what they dealing with or what they have said in order to see why pio has written and responded in a certain manner.

Now much of what pio has said is very true and good. But many and many a time I did not find it exactly helpful. First because what pio is dealing with is someone else's problem. Which is not necessarily my own problem or struggle and puts me in further doubt especially concerning my suffering. When one is suffering and afflicted within their soul- it would help to get proper spiritual guidance concerning the particular area. But his spiritual guidance does not necessarily help. Sometimes it did. But mostly it did not.

To resolve this series of excerpt letters problem I had to read many days at a time because some of the letters are cut up and put on subsequent days for you to read. So instead of my reading day by day - I rather read days in one period. Actually. No. I read one month each time in each sitting. It was more better or rather is preferable for those who are reading this book of so called spiritual direction and letters.

Which leads to a final point. It cannot be really called spiritual direction. What I mean to say is it is spiritual direction to the extent that pio helped others- because these letters are directed to these people according to their problems. But it is not spiritual direction for myself when what I am presently going through something that has nothing to do with what is said.

So: in a nutshell what a horrible idea to put day to day excerpts of letters written to people which have perhaps having nothing to do with one's soul ... especially at that time (the allocated day that this author puts direction on) . How does the author even know which excerpt to put in when people go through different things at different times? Or rather what is worse is that the order of the letters and the categorisation is absolutely horrendous. There is no particular meaning to the way these letter excerpts have been handled.

I donot recommend these letters at all. Especially for faint souls who are undergoing spiritual trial. Hold off this book. It is good to read it at a time when you much more developed and perhaps not on edge.

So perhaps these issues should not be called minor. They are pretty crucial to ones reading experience. God help me.

[Mary Charocopos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so encouraging and uplifting! 🤍

[Candace Simar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This daily devotional is so amazing. I read it in 2022 and plan to go through it again in 2023. Padre Pio offers spiritual insights for every day of the year. These short, meaty installments were meant for me. I think you would benefit from them, too.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro precioso, con 365 reflexiones que el autor ha seleccionado espléndidamente del epístolario del Padre Pío. Es una joya para tener en el escritorio o cerca a la cama y escuchar el consejo del Santo Padre Pío antes de dormir o en cualquier momento del día.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written to be read a little each day over a year, though of course you can take it at your own pace. It is drawn from Padre Pio's letters to his parishioners, and also to his own mentors. It is easy to see why Padre Pio is so popular with so many, there is a great deal of inspiration to be had here. His writing style is simple and to the point, with a lot to offer any believer. One thing I found to be particularly insightful was the way he reassured his own charges with regard to certain issues, meanwhile pleading with his own mentors on the same score, showing that he struggled with the very same issues as his flock. Indeed, his own struggles must have made him that much more compassionate and understanding with those seeking his help. When the reader sees the confidence with which he reassures the recipients of his letters, even in the midst of such spiritual struggle, one cannot help but be impressed. It's not quite a must-read like Thomas à Kempis's Imitation of Christ, but certainly a good read and a great idea for any Christian looking for a little uplifting inspiration in the midst of struggle.

[Maddy Kellogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all the devotionals I’ve read, this one takes the cake. Padre Pio is one of my favorite saints, he is so inspiring, and almost every single day it felt as though his letters were really meant for me. If you’re looking for a devotional or daily spiritual direction, look no further. You won’t regret it if you get this one. Starting off every day with inspiration to follow God’s will that day, with a goal to make God proud. Padre Pio cuts deep into the feelings of despair and fear we all have and shows the hope and comfort that God has to offer. I’ll be reading this again next year, it was that good. I could not recommend this book more.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Padre Pio has a special place in my heart. His spirituality has greatly aided in my own faith journey. This is a book of letters that Padre Pio wrote to various people in his early years. I chose to read one letter a night, as the letters are dated, and I was sad to see the year ending. But, this is the type of book that can and should be read over and over. The letters give us a glimpse into his soul, and his deep love and longing for Jesus. St. Padre Pio, please pray for us.

[Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such great spiritual wisdom. I have learned so much from the writings of this great Saint. There are times where I feel St. Pio is talking directly to me. Anyone interested in this book should absolutely read it.

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pasquale compiled an inspiring book of daily meditations, thoughts and prayers from St. Pio. The devotional contains excerpts of Padre Pio's writing while on life's journey. I found it to be a good addition to my daily devotional.

[Rinjaminbutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice daily companion with countless nuggets of spiritual insight found in St. Padre Pio's many letters. There were numerous occasions on which his words were exactly what I needed to hear! Would recommend to all who enjoy spiritual reading but especially to those who like small sectioned reading.

[Steve Shoulta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking readings

Each day's paragraph is food for thought. Some follow the liturgical season. Most do not. Spend some time with the reading.

[Nancy McCleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of The Spirituality of Padre Pio.

This book translates perfectly the gentle and loving spirit of Saint Padre Pio. Thank you for sharing with us. God bless you all!

[Chels S · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pio is dodgy, effeminate, hysterical and a plagiarist and the compiler is a Modernist heretic.

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, reflective read. I loved it.

[Jennifer L Hack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

Everyone should read for encouragement and guidance!
St Padre Pio is a blessing to all of us and is kind to lend us his words of holy wisdom!

[Bridget Haines-Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of letters versus an actual devotional. It was a gift so I read it, but wasn’t quite what I would typically use for spiritual direction.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful bits of wisdom from Padre Pio from his letters, but they were in random order.

[7jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quote-for-each-day-of-the-year (including Feb.29), made of letters he wrote to other people written in the 1910s or 1920s, with the one exception of letter to Pope Paul VI in 1968. This is rather refreshing, you get advice on many things (including dryness, gaining strength during tough times and how to behave at Mass, for example) but it also gives us a view on Padre Pio's personal struggles on some subjects he gives advice on, so he knows things from personal experience. A book well worth owning, in my opinion.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a vibrant daily rendering of Padre Pio's wisdom, profound insights and spiritual direction, all at a personal level! Love it. I wish there was an eBook or app!

[Carola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invaluable