A few years ago, 14 pilgrims and I visited the tomb of Saint Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy. In this small town on a barren mountainside, Padre Pio in 1917 began an assignment at the Capuchin Friary and Church of Our Lady of Grace. There he remained until his death on September 23, 1968.

During those decades, many dramatic things happened at that Franciscan friary and church. On September 20, 1918, Padre Pio received the stigmata while making his thanksgiving after Mass in front of a crucifix in the friary choir loft overlooking the inside of the church.