LIFE OF PADRE PIO, THE
Between the Altar and the Confessional

Over 300,000 devotees of Padre Pio from all over the world were present in Rome on May 2, 1999 when Pope John Paul II presided over his beatification. And these were only a small fraction of those who in one way or another have been touched by this extraordinary man. Padre Pio, Capuchin priest, stigmatist and “humble friar who prays” is one of the most fascinating figures of the twentieth century. Among the countless writings dedicated to telling his story each year, the present biography stands out for its thoroughness and the hitherto unknown information about him which it provides. For the most part it makes use of his own diary and the sworn testimony of those who lived with him and knew him best to reconstruct the details of his long and fruitful life. Gennaro Preziuso was given extraordinary access to these materials, having collaborated in the diocesan process that studied the life and virtues of this famous Capuchin friar. He was thus able to uncover the roots of Padre Pio’s profound wisdom which was honed in the crucible of suffering and nurtured by his prolonged dedication to the apostolate of the confessional where he administered the sacrament of reconciliation to countless thousands of the faithful. Written thirty years after his death, this work contains the Decree regarding the heroic virtues that characterized the life of this stigmatized priest who literally spent his days between the altar and the confessional. An Afterword makes available the talk given by Pope John Paul II on May 3, 1999 to the devotees who had come for Padre Pio’s beatification.

About the Author: Gennaro Preziuso, journalist and author, has long studied the life and miracles of Padre Pio and is presently the Editor-in-Chief of the Italian newsletter Voce del Padre Pio which keeps readers throughout the world informed about the graces received through the intercession of this holy man, “the first priest to bear the stigmata.”