POPE FRANCIS BLESSES A PREGNANT WOMAN AND HER UNBORN CHILD
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Pope to politicians: You have a responsibility with society, but above all else, with God
POPE FRANCIS BLESSES A PREGNANT WOMAN AND HER UNBORN CHILD
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Pope to Youth: The bond with grandparents, the elderly is a gift. Treasure it.
HOW IMPORTANT GRANDPARENTS ARE FOR FAMILY LIFE, FOR PASSING ON THE HUMAN AND RELIGIOUS HERITAGE IS SO ESSENTIAL FOR EACH AND EVERY SOCIETY ! HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE INTERGENERATIONAL EXCHANGES AND DIALOGUE, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE FAMILY.
IN THIS WORLD YOUTH DAY, YOUNG PEOPLE WISH TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND HONOUR THEIR GRANDPARENTS. THEY SALUTE THEM WITH GREAT AFFECTION AND THEY THANK THEM FOR THE ONGOING WITNESS OF THEIR WISDOM.
IN THIS WORLD YOUTH DAY, YOUNG PEOPLE WISH TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND HONOUR THEIR GRANDPARENTS. THEY SALUTE THEM WITH GREAT AFFECTION AND THEY THANK THEM FOR THE ONGOING WITNESS OF THEIR WISDOM.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Pope to Argentinians: Live the Gospel out on the street, not just in your parish
THE WORLD WE LIVE IN HAS GONE TOO FAR. ITS TOO MUCH. IT’S GOTTEN TO A POINT WHERE GOD HAS BEEN REPLACED BY MONEY.
WE ARE WITNESSING A PHILOSOPHY OF EXCLUSION THAT GOES TO TWO EXTREMES, DISREGARDING THE YOUNG AND THE ELDERLY. WE DON’T CARE OF THE ELDERLY.
BUT THERE IS ALSO A CULTURAL EUTHANASIA. THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK OR ACT. IT’S THE SAME WITH THE YOUTH. YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE TO GO OUT TO DEFEND TRUE VALUES. FIGHT FOR THOSE VALUES.
FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST IS NO JOKE. IT’S SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS. IT’S INCREDIBLE THAT GOD BECAME HUMAN TO BE WITH US. THIS IS AMAZING. JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS. THIS IS ASTOUNDING ! THE SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS IS INCREDIBLE, AND IT’S THE ONLY SURE PATH. THE PATH OF THE CROSS, THE INCARNATION OF JESUS.
PLEASE DON’T DILUTE YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. YOU CAN’T REDUCE FAITH. FAITH IS WHOLE.
FAITH IN JESUS CANNOT BE DILUTED.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
July 24, 2013 --- The Pope at Rio - Visit and Holy Mass at the Aparecida --- The Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil
The Pope at Rio - Visit and Holy Mass at the Aparecida
The city of Aparecida do Norte in São Paulo, Brazil, is known for having the most important Marian shrine in the country, where pilgrims from every nation come to visit. In this city, one can find the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, which is the second biggest basilica in the world and which contains an image of Our Lady of Aparecida, the patroness of Brazil. The story behind Our Lady of Aparecida relates that, in 1717, fishermen discovered a headless statue in the Paraiba River. They threw the net into the sea again and this time they brought out the head. This is said to be the statue of the Black Virgin, which is made of terracotta, a type of clay that is baked in a particular kind of oven after being molded. The distinctive characteristic of this style is the form of her smile and the structure of her chin and dimples. She also has flowers in her hair, a hair piece with three pearls, and her head is titled backwards. The statue was believed to have been made by a 17th century Benedictine monk named Frei Agostinho of Jesus. The statue was later restored by experts. She is the patroness of pregnant women and newborn babies, and is also called Our Lady of the Rivers and Seas. The shrine to Our Lady of Aparecida is also a pilgrimage place for workers on the national holiday, which takes place annually on September 7th. "Our Lady of Aparecida, Dearest Mother,You who love us and guide us every day,You who are the most beautiful of all mothers,Whom I love with all of my heart,I ask you once again to help me attain the grace that I seek.I know that you will help me And that you will always be with me until the hour of my death."
http://www.mariedenazareth.com/
NOVEMBER 27 - OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL - ( IL-MIDALJA MIRAKOLUŻA u San Ġorġ Preca ) --- & --- St. Catherine Laboure - November 28
NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
November 18 is the first day of the Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Here's the incredible story behind this beloved devotion.
November 18 is the first day of the Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Here's the incredible story behind this beloved devotion.
Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (France)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CETyrjlJBgw
official site
https://www.chapellenotredamedelamedaillemiraculeuse.com/
St. Catherine Laboure and the Miraculous Medal
"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." This invocation, included in many prayers, was revealed to Catherine Laboure during an apparition of Our Lady on November 27, 1830 in Paris. During vespers in the chapel of the convent of the Sisters of Charity, located on Rue du Bac, France, the young novice saw the Blessed Mother for the second time. The first appearance dates back to the previous July, when the Virgin had confided that she had a difficult mission to accomplish. Above the altar, two pictures represent two sides of a medal. Catherine Laboure, who was then 24 years, heard the voice of Mary, who told her: "Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces". It was a request reiterated by Our Lady, who would appear again to the sister in December of the same year, again in the chapel of the Rue du Bac. In 1832, with the permission of the Bishop of Paris, Msgr. de Quellen, the first medals were cast. Some years later, in Rome, the great graces coming from the devotion were recognized, from those who adhered to the faith of the Church and wore this medal. Known worldwide as the Miraculous Medal, it is a reminder that above all, the love God has for mankind is truly miraculous. The image of Mary represented on the medal, with 12 stars around her head, would later inspire the European flag, as its creator, Arsène Heitz once explained. At the time of the three apparitions to Catherine Laboure, Mary spoke of the graces and gifts that God wanted to spread upon the Earth, but mankind no longer asks for through prayer. These are the words of Mary:"Come to the foot of this altar and here graces will be bestowed upon all,who ask with confidence and fervour." "The rays are the symbol of the graces which I scatter on those who ask me". "This small globe represents the entire world, particularly France and every single person." "Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces."The medal is the extension of this faith in God, is a faith that Catherine Labourée lived in such silence that no one - except her spiritual director Fr. Aladel- knew that she had received apparitions, until her death. In Rome during 1917, St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan friar who was later killed in the Auschwitz concentration camp taking the place of a father of a family, used this medal as the distinctive symbol for the Pious Union of the Militia of the Immaculata, which he founded. On July 27, 1947, Pope Pius XII canonized Sister Catherine Labourée, just 70 years after her death. Since then the body of the saint has been buried in the Chapel of the Rue du Bac in Paris, at the foot of the very altar where she saw the Madonna.
(Prayer of (Saint) John Paul II, May 31, 1980, Rue du Bac): You are blessed among all women! Blessed are you, for you have believed! The Almighty did wonders for you! The wonder of the divine motherhood! And now, the glory of your Son. You never cease to intercede for us poor sinners. You watch over the Church for you are its Mother. You watch over each of your Children. From God, you obtain for us, all graces that are symbolized by the rays of light which radiate from your open hands, and the only condition that you demand of us is that we approach with the confidence, the hardiness, and the simplicity of a child. And it is thus that you bring us before your Divine Son. Amen
https://www.sdcmuseum.org/Page.aspx?pv=fVAL1qAblI8=&menu=2
http://catholicsaints.info/saint-catherine-laboure/
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https://www.chapellenotredamedelamedaillemiraculeuse.com/
St. Catherine Laboure and the Miraculous Medal
"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." This invocation, included in many prayers, was revealed to Catherine Laboure during an apparition of Our Lady on November 27, 1830 in Paris. During vespers in the chapel of the convent of the Sisters of Charity, located on Rue du Bac, France, the young novice saw the Blessed Mother for the second time. The first appearance dates back to the previous July, when the Virgin had confided that she had a difficult mission to accomplish. Above the altar, two pictures represent two sides of a medal. Catherine Laboure, who was then 24 years, heard the voice of Mary, who told her: "Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces". It was a request reiterated by Our Lady, who would appear again to the sister in December of the same year, again in the chapel of the Rue du Bac. In 1832, with the permission of the Bishop of Paris, Msgr. de Quellen, the first medals were cast. Some years later, in Rome, the great graces coming from the devotion were recognized, from those who adhered to the faith of the Church and wore this medal. Known worldwide as the Miraculous Medal, it is a reminder that above all, the love God has for mankind is truly miraculous. The image of Mary represented on the medal, with 12 stars around her head, would later inspire the European flag, as its creator, Arsène Heitz once explained. At the time of the three apparitions to Catherine Laboure, Mary spoke of the graces and gifts that God wanted to spread upon the Earth, but mankind no longer asks for through prayer. These are the words of Mary:"Come to the foot of this altar and here graces will be bestowed upon all,who ask with confidence and fervour." "The rays are the symbol of the graces which I scatter on those who ask me". "This small globe represents the entire world, particularly France and every single person." "Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces."The medal is the extension of this faith in God, is a faith that Catherine Labourée lived in such silence that no one - except her spiritual director Fr. Aladel- knew that she had received apparitions, until her death. In Rome during 1917, St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan friar who was later killed in the Auschwitz concentration camp taking the place of a father of a family, used this medal as the distinctive symbol for the Pious Union of the Militia of the Immaculata, which he founded. On July 27, 1947, Pope Pius XII canonized Sister Catherine Labourée, just 70 years after her death. Since then the body of the saint has been buried in the Chapel of the Rue du Bac in Paris, at the foot of the very altar where she saw the Madonna.
(Prayer of (Saint) John Paul II, May 31, 1980, Rue du Bac): You are blessed among all women! Blessed are you, for you have believed! The Almighty did wonders for you! The wonder of the divine motherhood! And now, the glory of your Son. You never cease to intercede for us poor sinners. You watch over the Church for you are its Mother. You watch over each of your Children. From God, you obtain for us, all graces that are symbolized by the rays of light which radiate from your open hands, and the only condition that you demand of us is that we approach with the confidence, the hardiness, and the simplicity of a child. And it is thus that you bring us before your Divine Son. Amen
==============================
Il-Midalja Mirakoluża
Id-devozzjoni lejn il-Midalja, li biż-żmien bidet tissejjaħ “Mirakoluża” għandha rabta ma’ Santa Katarina Laboure, soru tal-karita Franċiża. Hi kellha xi dehriet mill-Madonna f’Pariġi.
Il-mod kif dehritilha l-Madonna kien il-bidu tal-midalja ovali tal-Verġni Mbierka, bir-raġġI ħerġin minn idejha.
San Ġorġ Preca emmen ħafna fil-qawwa tal-midalja mirakoluża. Lil ħafna li marru għandu bi problemi, hu kien iqiegħdhom taħt il-ħarsien ta’ Marija billi jagħtihom midalja mirakoluża ħalli jbusuha. L-għaxqa tiegħu kienet, li f’xi Sajda Museumina, wara li hu stess kien jitkellem dwar il-Midalja, jikteb fiha lill-folla preżenti, biex b’hekk il-Maltin kollha jkunu miktubin fid-Domna.
“Ilbes id-domna u ssib xortik ma’ Alla u mal-bnedmin”, kien iħobb jgħid. San Ġorġ kien jara għajnuna kbira fil-midalja mirakoluża biex bniedem jaqla l-grazzja li jagħmel qrara tajba.
The Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal at Blata l-Bajda in Malta
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NOVEMBER 28th - Saint Catherine Laboure
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La storia della Medaglietta miracolosa
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Friday, July 19, 2013
SEPTEMBER 23 - Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
Padre Pio (TEMPORARY) Exhibition at Palazzo Cardinal Cesi, for the Pilgrimage of Padre Pio to the Vatican -
Published on 8 Feb 2016
From February 4th to 10th, a temporary exhibition of Padre Pio, for the pilgrimage of the remains of the incorrupt body of St. Pio of Pietrelcina to the Vatican, for the Extraordinary Jubilee Holy Year of Mercy, with some significant sacred objects to accompany the pilgrims in the path of knowledge of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, from the Chapter Hall of the Palazzo Cardinal Cesi, Via della Conciliazione. Among other things you will see three original letters of the saint, his confessional, a night of blood stained shirt (because Padre Pio relived mystically even the scourging of Jesus).
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Dal 04-10 febbraio 2016, una mostra temporanea di Padre Pio, per il pellegrinaggio dei resti del corpo incorrotto di San Pio da Pietrelcina al Vaticano, per lo straordinario Giubileo Anno Santo della Misericordia, con alcuni significativi oggetti sacri per accompagnare i pellegrini nel percorso di conoscenza di San Pio da Pietrelcina, dalla Sala capitolare del Palazzo Cardinal Cesi, Via della Conciliazione. Tra le altre cose si vedrà tre lettere originali del santo, il suo confessionale, una notte di sangue camicia macchiata (perché Padre Pio sollevato misticamente anche la flagellazione di Gesù).
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Dal 04-10 febbraio 2016, una mostra temporanea di Padre Pio, per il pellegrinaggio dei resti del corpo incorrotto di San Pio da Pietrelcina al Vaticano, per lo straordinario Giubileo Anno Santo della Misericordia, con alcuni significativi oggetti sacri per accompagnare i pellegrini nel percorso di conoscenza di San Pio da Pietrelcina, dalla Sala capitolare del Palazzo Cardinal Cesi, Via della Conciliazione. Tra le altre cose si vedrà tre lettere originali del santo, il suo confessionale, una notte di sangue camicia macchiata (perché Padre Pio sollevato misticamente anche la flagellazione di Gesù).
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LIVE from San Giovanni Rotondo | Holy Mass on the Feast St. Pius of Pietrelcina | 2023
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23 ta' Settembru
Tifkira Franġiskana ta'
San Piju ta' Pietrelcina
San Piju ta' Pietrelcina, imwieled Francesco Forgione,
magħruf l-iktar bħala Patri Piju jew Padre Pio, Twieled fi Pietrelcina, raħal
fil-provinċja ta’ Benevento fl-Italja, nhar il-25 ta’ Mejju 1887, minn Grazio
Forgione u Giuseppina f’dar ċkejkna u fqira fil-kampanja. Missieru kien bidwi,
bniedem bla skola iżda għaref. Semmewh Franġisku u kien ir-raba’ tifel minn
seba’ ulied, li tnejn minnhom mietu trabi. F’dawk is-snin, ix-xogħol kien naqas
ħafna u Grazio beda jsibha bi tqila biex jaqla’ l-għixien għall-familja tiegħu.
Huwa emigra darbtejn, l-ewwel darba meta Franġisku (Piju) kien għadu tifel
ċkejken, kien mar l-Amerka t’isfel iżda kienet ġietu ħażina. It-tieni darba,
ftit qabel ma’ Piju sar saċerdot, Grazio għamel kemxa ġmielha u meta ġie lura
xtara żewġ għelieqi providenzjali għal Patri Piju li seta’ jitbiegħed
mill-familjari tiegħu u hemm jinġabar fit-talb.
Il-vojt ta’ missieru fi tfulitu mlietu wisq tajjeb
ommu li kienet tgħożżu b’imħabba kbira. Ta’ ħames snin, Franġisku wiegħed lilu
nnifsu lill-qaddis patrun ta’ ismu, San Franġisk t’Assisi. Wara dan jingħad li
kien ġa beda jkollu l-viżjonijiet. Kien jara lill-Madonna u jitkellem magħha u
kien ukoll jara x-xitan taħt xbihat ta’ bnedmin kif ukoll ta’ annimali
mill-aktar koroh. Ta’ tifel li kien, hu kien jaħseb li kulħadd kien ikollu minn
dawn l-affarijiet. Meta kellu disa’ snin, Franġisku jingħad li assista
għall-ewwel miraklu tiegħu. Kien ma’ missieru fis-Santwarju ta’ San Pellegrino
meta resqet mara b’tifel marid f’dirgħajha, tgħajjat donnha teħodha ma’ San
Pellegrino għax ma kienx fejqilha lil binha. Fit-telfa li kienet, telqet
lit-tifel fuq l-altar filwaqt li qaltlu: “Kollox sew. Jekk ma tridx tfejqu,
allura ħudu int.” GĦal dik ix-xena, kulħadd tbikkem. Franġisku talab għat-tifel
b’ħeġġa kbira, b’għajnejh fissi fuqu. F’daqqa waħda it-tifel għolla jdejh, qam
fuq riġlejh u għajjat “mamma”. Kulħadd infexx jgħajjat “miraklu”. It-tifel kien
fieq għal kollox.
Patri Kapuċċin
Dik il-ħabta fi Pietrelcina kien jidher ta’ spiss
wieħed ajk kapuċċin jismu Fra Kamillu. Dan kellu leħja sewda twila u folta u
bil-manjieri ħelwin li kellu, kien jiġbed lejh lil kulħadd, żgħar u kbar.
Franġisku kien inġibed ħafna lejh, l-aktar minħabba l-baffi li kellu, u xtaq
isir bħalu. Kienu l-baffi l-ewwel ħaġa li ġibditu lejn il-Kapuċċini! Ta’ sittax
–il sena beda n-novizzjat tiegħu f’Morcone u ħa l-isem ta’ Fra Piju. Sa
mill-ewwel ġranet tiegħu fil-kunvent huwa sar il-mimmi ta’ għajnejn
il-patrijiet kapuċċini l-oħra. Il-Majjistru tiegħu Patri Tommaso qal fuqu:
“Kien dejjem novizz eżemplari, puntwali u eżatt f’kollox.” Kien jagħmel
penitenzi anki waqt l-ikel – fost l-oħrajn, kien jitlob permess biex jgħaddi
l-ikel lill-patri ta’ ħdejh. Kien jitlob ħafna u fit-tul, u ta’ spiss kien
jitlob permess biex ma jinżilx għar-rikreazzjoni ħalli jkun jista’ jkompli
jitlob. L-unika ħaġa li kienet tinkwieta lill-patrijiet sħabu kienet saħħtu.
Fra Piju kien sar magħlub wisq u kien spiss jaqbdu deni qawwi. Dan kien deni li
t-tobba ma setgħux jispjegaw. Xi drabi t-termometru kien jinkiser bil-qawwa
tad-deni. Minħabba f’hekk kien jintbagħat għal xi jiem id-dar, b’permess
speċjali tas-superjuri, għall-arja tajba ta’ Pietrelcina biex ikun jista’
jirpilja.
Nhar it-22 ta’ Jannar 1904 huwa għamel l-ewwel
professjoni tiegħu. Għat-tliet snin ta’ wara huwa qagħad fil-Kunvent ta’ San
Elia a Pianisi f’Campobasso u f’għeluq it-tielet sena għamel il-professjoni
solenni. Wara li l-mard reġa’ bagħtu fi Pietrelcina, Piju kompla jistudja
t-teoloġija mgħejjun mill-arċipriet ta’ raħal twelidu, Mons. Pannullo. Matul
dawn is-snin ta’ studju jingħad li Piju kellu attakki kontinwi u ħorox ħafna
mix-xitan li xi drabi kienu jħallulu anke sinjali esterni bħal tbenġil, nefħ u
sinjali ta’ daqqiet fuq wiċċu. Iżda jingħad li kien ikollu wkoll viżjonijiet
ta’ konsolazzjoni minn Ġesù.
Saċerdot
Piju kien ordnat saċerdot nhar l-10 t’Awissu 1910
fid-Duomo ta’ Benevento mill-Arċisqof Paolo Schinosi u erbat ijiem wara
ċċelebra l-ewwel quddiesa tiegħu, fil-Knisja ta’ Pietrelcina. Fil-paniġierku
tal-quddiesa, Patri Agostino, id-direttur spiritwali tiegħu tkellem fuq tliet
punti essenzjali fil-missjoni tas-saċerdot: il-pulptu, l-altar u
l-konfessjonarju, u testwalment qallu: “Inti, minħabba saħħtek, ma tantx tista’
tkun predikatur; għalhekk nawguralek li tkun konfessur kbir.”
Il-Pjagi
Ftit inqas minn xahar wara li sar saċerdot, bdew
jidhru fil-pali ta’ idejh bħal “dbabar ħomor” li kienu jweġġgħu ħafna iżda li
wara xi ġurnata jew tnejn kienu jgħibu għal kollox. Piju kien pront tkellem ma’
l-arċipriet Pannullo li kien sar it-tieni missier tiegħu. It-tnejn flimkien
kienu talbu bil-ħerqa lil Alla, biex jekk jista’ jkun, ineħħilu dawk is-sinjali
u jħallilu biss l-uġigħ. U għal dik id-darba hekk ġara. Ħames snin wara, nhar
l-20 ta’ Settembru 1915, waqt li fil-knisja ta’ Pietrelcina kienet qiegħda ssir
il-Festa tal-Pjagi ta’ San Franġisk, Piju kien mitluf fit-talb f’ “għarix” li
kien għamel hu stess f’għalqa tal-familja tiegħu. Darba ommu ratu ħiereġ
mill-għarix iferfer kemm jiflaħ idejh bħal meta wieħed ikun mess xi ħaġa
taħraq. Bil-ħlewwa kolha, ommu qaltlu biċ-ċajt jekk kienx qiegħed idoqq
il-kitarra, imma hu weġibha biss li kellu idejh juġgħuh. Nafu b’dan biss minn
ittra li huwa bagħat lid-direttur tiegħu Patri Agostino, xahar wara.
Bil-lieva
Dawk kienu s-snin ta’ l-Ewwel Gwerra Dinjija u Piju
bħaż-żgħażagħ Taljani l-oħra nġabar bil-lieva iżda għamel biss xahar (Novembru
1915) minħabba d-deni stramb li reġa’ qabdu. It-tobba militari eżentawh għal
sena u Piju reġa’ lura Pietrelcina. Bħalma kien dejjem jiġri, wara ftit ġimgħat
irpilja u reġa’ beda jaqdi fil-pastorali tal-parroċċa. Xahrejn wara s-superjuri
reliġjużi tiegħu ordnawlu jmur fil-kunvent ta’ Sant’Anna ġewwa Foggia iżda
hemmhekk sofra wisq attakki mix-xitan li kien anke jsawtu. Meta għalqitlu
s-sena eżentat mil-lieva huwa rraporta f’Napli fejn reġgħu eżentawh għal sitt
xhur oħra, jiġifieri sa Ġunju 1917. F’Mejju ta’ dik is-sena, mar l-ewwel u
l-unika darba f’ħajtu Ruma biex jakkumpanja lil oħtu ż-żgħira li kellha ssir
soru ta’ Santa Briġida. Hija ħadet l-isem ta’ Suor Pia. Kien biss ħamsin sena
wara li reġgħet rat lil ħuha, meta marret issellimlu fil-funeral tiegħu. Mietet
seba’ xhur warajh, nhar it-30 t’April 1969.
F’San Giovanni Rotondo
F’Marzu 1918 inħeles darba għal dejjem mis-servizz
militari għax instab li kien ibati bi bronco-pneumonite kronika, tant li
l-uffiċjali militari qalu: “Ħa nibagħtuh id-dar forsi jmut fil-kwiet u l-paċi.”
Iżda Piju kellu jmut fil-kwiet u l-paċi ħamsin sena wara, meta kellu 81 sena.
Nhar it-18 ta’ Marzu huwa mar lura fil-Kunvent ta’ San Giovanni Rotondo fejn
sentejn qabel il-Provinċjal iddeċieda li jħallih hemm għal kollox fuq xewqa ta’
l-istess Patri Piju. Lil Piju għażluh bħala direttur tal-“fratini”, dawk
it-tfal li kienu mħajrin isiru patrijiet. Il-ħemda tal-kunvent fqajjar, maqtugħ
għalih waħdu u mdawwar minn kullimkien b’siġar iħaddru s-sena kollha, kien
tassew ideali għal Patri Piju. Il-ftit nies li kienu jiffrekwentaw il-knisja
mill-ewwel intlaqtu mill-qdusija sempliċi ta’ dak il-patri żagħżugħ u marradi u
hekk l-għadd tagħhom beda jiżdied kuljum.
Pjagi viżibbli
“ … Kien filgħodu ta’ l-20 tax-xahar (Settembru 1918) li għadda. Kont qiegħed fil-Kor wara ċ-ċelebrazzjoni tal-quddiesa, meta ħassejtni qisni meħud għal għarrieda minn nagħsa ħelwa. Is-sensi kollha, interni u esterni, flimkien mal-fakultajiet tar-ruħ, sabu ruħhom f’ħemda li ma titfissirx. Matul dan kollu, kien hemm skiet perfett madwari. F’daqqa waħda ħassejt fija paċi u telqa sħiħa… Dan kollu ġara f’teptipa t’għajn jew f’leħħa ta’ berqa u waqt li kien qed isir dan kollu, rajt quddiemi Personaġġ Misterjuż… Il-ħarsa tiegħu werwritni. Dak li ħassejt f’dak il-ħin ma nistax ngħidlek. Ħassejtni qed immut għax ħassejt qalbi trid toħroġ minn sidri. Id-dehra tal-Personaġġ għebet… u jien sibt ruħi b’idejja, riġlejja u l-kustat imniffda u bid-demm ħiereġ minnhom. Tista’ timmaġina l-uġigħ li ħassejt dak il-ħin u li għadni nħoss kontinwament kważi kuljum. Il-ferita tal-qalb tnixxi demm bla waqfien, l-aktar mill-Ħamis filgħaxija sas-Sibt. ”
“ … Kien filgħodu ta’ l-20 tax-xahar (Settembru 1918) li għadda. Kont qiegħed fil-Kor wara ċ-ċelebrazzjoni tal-quddiesa, meta ħassejtni qisni meħud għal għarrieda minn nagħsa ħelwa. Is-sensi kollha, interni u esterni, flimkien mal-fakultajiet tar-ruħ, sabu ruħhom f’ħemda li ma titfissirx. Matul dan kollu, kien hemm skiet perfett madwari. F’daqqa waħda ħassejt fija paċi u telqa sħiħa… Dan kollu ġara f’teptipa t’għajn jew f’leħħa ta’ berqa u waqt li kien qed isir dan kollu, rajt quddiemi Personaġġ Misterjuż… Il-ħarsa tiegħu werwritni. Dak li ħassejt f’dak il-ħin ma nistax ngħidlek. Ħassejtni qed immut għax ħassejt qalbi trid toħroġ minn sidri. Id-dehra tal-Personaġġ għebet… u jien sibt ruħi b’idejja, riġlejja u l-kustat imniffda u bid-demm ħiereġ minnhom. Tista’ timmaġina l-uġigħ li ħassejt dak il-ħin u li għadni nħoss kontinwament kważi kuljum. Il-ferita tal-qalb tnixxi demm bla waqfien, l-aktar mill-Ħamis filgħaxija sas-Sibt. ”
22.10.1918
Hekk kiteb f’ittra Patri Piju lid-direttur spiritwali tiegħu li obbligah jagħmel dan. Dakinhar, fil-jum tal-Ġimgħa, Piju kien waħdu fil-Kunvent għax il-patrijiet l-oħra kellhom xi qadjiet. Waqt li kien qiegħed għarkubbtejh quddiem il-Kurċifiss, jingħad li Ġesu Msallab (il-Personaġġ Misterjuż) ħa l-ħajja u minnu ħarġu ħames vleġeġ li ppenetraw il-ġisem tiegħu. Piju bilkemm kellu s-saħħa jqum mill-art u jasal saċ-ċella biex ikun jista’ jbiddel ħwejġu u jnaddafhom mid-demm biex ma jindunawx b’dak li kien ġralu. Din id-darba l-Mulej ma neħħielux is-sinjali. Jingħad li Patri Piju baqa' b'dawk il-pjagi sal-aħħar jum ta’ ħajtu.
Hekk kiteb f’ittra Patri Piju lid-direttur spiritwali tiegħu li obbligah jagħmel dan. Dakinhar, fil-jum tal-Ġimgħa, Piju kien waħdu fil-Kunvent għax il-patrijiet l-oħra kellhom xi qadjiet. Waqt li kien qiegħed għarkubbtejh quddiem il-Kurċifiss, jingħad li Ġesu Msallab (il-Personaġġ Misterjuż) ħa l-ħajja u minnu ħarġu ħames vleġeġ li ppenetraw il-ġisem tiegħu. Piju bilkemm kellu s-saħħa jqum mill-art u jasal saċ-ċella biex ikun jista’ jbiddel ħwejġu u jnaddafhom mid-demm biex ma jindunawx b’dak li kien ġralu. Din id-darba l-Mulej ma neħħielux is-sinjali. Jingħad li Patri Piju baqa' b'dawk il-pjagi sal-aħħar jum ta’ ħajtu.
L-aħbar ta’ patri bil-pjagi xterdet ma’ San Giovanni
Rotondo u kważi ma’ l-Italja kollha. Is-superjuri reliġjużi nfixlu f’dik
is-sitwazzjoni delikata. Il-Ministru Ġenerali tal-Kapuċċini ddeċieda li ma
jitħallewx nies ikellmu lil Patri Piju u billi n-nies iktar bdew jersqu lejn
il-kunvent, dan issakkar u ma kien jitħalla ħadd jidħol mingħajr il-permess
tas-superjur.
F’ittra oħra lid-direttur spiritwali tiegħu, Patri
Piju stqarr li kien iħossu “ħażin ħafna fiżikament u moralment” għax għal ħafna
dawn is-sinjali kienu “sinjali ta’ kontradizzjoni”: x’uħud jaċċettawhom u
jbusuhom u oħrajn jiċħduhom u jmaqdruhom. B’ordni tas-superjuri huwa kien
iżommhom dejjem mgħottijin u kien ineħħi l-ingwanti biss waqt il-quddiesa. B’ordni
tal-Provinċjal, tmint ijiem biss wara li seħħ il-fenomenu, ittieħdu xi ritratti
tal-pjagi biex jintbagħtu Ruma lill-Kongregazzjoni tas-Sant’Uffizzju.
L-ewwel testijiet mediċi fuq Patri Piju saru tmien
xhur wara li feġġ il-fenomenu mill-professur Romanelli minn Barletta li stqarr
li ma setax jikklassifika l-pjagi xjentifikament. Professur ieħor, Amigo
Bignami pprova anke jfejjaqlu l-pjagi iżda bla suċċess. Il-professuri Luigi
Romanelli u Giorgio Festa ikkonkludew li mhemmx spjegazzjoni naturali tal-fenomenu.
Festa rrimarka wkoll li mill-pjagi kienet toħroġ riħa ta’ fwieħa. Patri
Agostino Gemelli, tabib u psikologu, il-fundatur ta’ l-Universita Cattolica,
ipprova jeżaminah hu wkoll iżda mingħajr suċċess għax ma kellux awtorizzazzjoni
bil-miktub. Patri Piju kellu direttivi minn Ruma stess biex ma jħalli lil ħadd
jeżaminalu l-pjagi. Gemelli ippubblika studju li fih sejjaħ lil Padre Piju
“isteriku” f’kelma oħra “miġnun”. Kiteb hekk:
“ È un bluff... Padre Pio ha tutte le caratteristiche
somatiche dell'isterico e dello psicopatico... Quindi, le ferite che ha sul
corpo... Fasulle... Frutto di un'azione patologica morbosa... Un ammalato si
procura le lesioni da sé... Si tratta di piaghe, con carattere distruttivo dei
tessuti... tipico della patologia isterica. ”
Sanzjonat mill-Awtoritajiet tal-Knisja
Nhar it-2 ta’ Ġunju 1922 is-Sant’Uffizzju ordna li
Patri Piju jibda jqaddes biss fil-privat, ma jagħtix barka lin-nies u ma
jweġibx l-ittri tan-nies. Piju kien dejjem lest jagħmel dak kollu li jkun
mitlub mis-superjuri tiegħu u kien jiddispjaċih biss għal dak kollu li kien
qiegħed jiġri minħabba fih. F’Mejju 1923, is-Sant’Uffizzju ħareġ dikjarazzjoni
li biha widdeb lill-fidili kollha li dak li kien qed jingħad fuq Patri Piju ma
kellu ebda ħjiel ta’ sopranatural. Sena wara, reġa’ wissa li ħadd m’għandu
jersaq lejn San Giovanni Rotondo biex juri qima u devozzjoni lejn Patri Piju.
Kemm –il darba ppruvaw ukoll iċaqilquh minn San Giovanni Rotondo iżda dan qatt
ma sar.
F’ittra lill-Vigarju Provinċjali ta’ Foggia, Piju
kiteb:
“ Naħseb li mhemmx għalfejn intennilek kemm ninsab lest li nobdi kwalunkwe ordni li nirċievi mingħand is-superjuri. Il-kelma tagħhom hija għalija l-Kelma ta’ Alla li lejH irrid inżomm sħiħ it-twemmin tiegħi sal-mewt u bil-għajnuna tiegħu rrid nobdi kwalunkwe kmand, ikun kemm ikun tqil u ta’ tbatija għall-miżerja tiegħu.” ”
“ Naħseb li mhemmx għalfejn intennilek kemm ninsab lest li nobdi kwalunkwe ordni li nirċievi mingħand is-superjuri. Il-kelma tagħhom hija għalija l-Kelma ta’ Alla li lejH irrid inżomm sħiħ it-twemmin tiegħi sal-mewt u bil-għajnuna tiegħu rrid nobdi kwalunkwe kmand, ikun kemm ikun tqil u ta’ tbatija għall-miżerja tiegħu.” ”
(23.08.1923)
Il-persekuzzjoni kontra Patri Piju laħqet il-quċċata
tagħha meta b’digriet ieħor tas-Sant’Uffizzju fl-1931, Piju kien sospiż a
divinis u mġiegħel jinqata’ anki mill-istess ħutu patrijiet u jkun segregat,
iżolat fil-Kunvent mingħajr ma jista’ jkellem lil ħadd, fi kliem ieħor sar
priġunier fil-kunvent.
Iżda ħafna ħbieb ta’ Patri Piju ħadmu kemm felħu biex
iwaqqfu din il-"priġunerija". Żewġ isqfijiet kapuċċini, Longhini u
Cuccarollo ppreżentaw dossier lill-Papa Piju XI li studjah bir-reqqa. F’Lulju
1933, is-Sant’Uffizzju reġġa’ lura d-deċiżjonijiet tiegħu. Meta l-Provinċjal
għarraf b’dan lil Piju, il-patrijiet sħabu tal-kunvent infexxew f’ċapċip kbir u
Piju bid-dmugħ f’għajnejh, bieslu idejh u talbu jirringrazzja lill-Papa f’ismu.
Fama Internazzjonali
Il-fama ta’ Patri Piju xterdet ’il barra mill-Italja.
Kienu jmorru jżuruh pellegrini mhux mill-pajjiżi Ewropej, fosthom Maltin, iżda
wkoll ħafna Amerikani u Sudamerikani. Eluf ta’ ittri kienu qegħdin jaslulu
fil-kunvent minn madwar id-dinja kollha, x’uħud anke miċ-Ċina u mil-Lvant
Imbiegħed. Fost l-ittri li rċieva, darba rċieva waħda, fl-1962, mingħand
il-Kardinal Pollakk Karol Woytla (iktar tard il-Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II), li talbu
jitlob għal waħda omm żagħżugħa Pollakka li kienet kważi fl-aħħar għax kellha
tumur fi griżmejha. GĦaddew ftit ġranet u l-Kardinal reġa’ kitiblu biex
jirringrazzjah għax il-mara kienet qalgħet il-grazzja.
Minkejja l-popolarità kbira tiegħu, ħajtu fil-kunvent
baqgħet dejjem l-istess. Kien iqaddes tal-ħamsa ta’ filgħodu. GĦall-quddiesa
tiegħu, in-nies ġieli għamlu lejl sħiħ wara l-bieb tal-knisja biex malli
tiftaħ, jintasbu fl-ewwel postijiet. Nistgħu ngħidu li ħajtu bħala saċerdot
kienet talb, quddiesa u qrar. Kien iqatta’ sigħat twal fil-konfessjonarju u
kien jixtieq li “l-ġurnata fiha 48 siegħa flok 24” biex ikun jista’ jqarar
iżjed. Fil-festi jingħad li ġieli għamel 18-il siegħa jqarar. Eluf kbar jingħad
li sabu lil Alla mill-ġdid permezz ta’ Patri Piju. Kienu jqerru għandu
isqfijiet, kardinali, politiċi, artisti u minn kull xorta ta’ nies.
Jibni sptar: Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza
Fl-1925 Patri Piju rranġa bini li qabel kien iservi
ta’ monasteru u għamel sptar żgħir li semmieh għal San Franġisk. Iżda fl-1956
għamel l-opra kolossali tiegħu meta bil-flus ta’ ħafna benefatturi fetaħ wieħed
mill-aktar sptarijiet moderni anke sal-ġurnata tal-lum, “Casa Sollievo della
Sofferenza” – Dar għas-Serħan mit-Tbatija. Iżda dan l-isptar għalkemm ġab
serħan lil ħafna pazjenti reġa’ ġab sofferenza kbira għal Patri Piju li kienet
tixbah lil dik li għadda minnha għoxrin sena qabel, meta waqqfuh milli jqaddes.
Issa Patri Piju kien bniedem anzjan u batut fiżikament.
Waqt li kien qed jinbena l-isptar mhux kollox kien
miexi dritt fl-amministrazzjoni, mhux tort ta’ Patri Piju li kien ħalla f’idejn
ħaddieħor it-tmexxija ta’ l-isptar. Fl-1952, il-Ġeneral tal-Kapuċċini fuq
struzzjoni mis-Sant’Uffizzju wissa lir-reliġjużi tiegħu biex ma jorganizzawx
pellegrinaġġi għal San Giovanni Rotondo. Fl-1960, il-Papa bagħat lil Mons.
Carlo Maccari biex jinvestiga l-ħafna xnigħat li kienu qegħdin isiru fuq Patri
Piju, anke li kien qiegħed ikollu relazzjonijiet ma’ xi nisa. Patri Piju ġie
miżmum milli jiċċelebra ż-żwiġijiet u l-magħmudijiet u ma jdumx iktar minn nofs
siegħa fil-quddiesa. Saħansitra kienu tpoġġew xi mikrofoni fiċ-ċella u
fil-konfessjonarju tiegħu. Patri Piju kien ħadha bi kbira wisq din il-ħaġa
skandaluża għax qatt ma stenna li ssir din il-ħaġa min-nies tal-Knisja. Kien
fl-1964, erba’ snin qabel mewtu li l-Papa Pawlu VI temm din it-tieni
persekuzzjoni tas-Sant’Uffizzju.
Mewt u iktar misteri
Patri Piju miet nhar it-23 ta’ Settembru 1968 fis-2.30
a.m. Il-ġurnata ta’ qabel kien qaddes bħas-soltu għalkemm fl-aħħar ta’ dik
il-quddiesa kien se jaqa’ ma’ l-art kieku mhux għax żammewh il-patrijiet li
kienu qegħdin jassistuh. It-tabib kuranti ta’ Padre Piju, Dr Giuseppe Sala,
meta ċċertifikah mejjet, ħalla miktub: “Għaxar minuti wara l-mewt, l-idejn,
il-kustat u r-riġlejn ta’ Padre Piju… u kull parti oħra tal-ġisem, la kienu
juru marki ta’ feriti, la ċikatriċi fl-idejn u fir-riġlejn, la fil-wiċċ u
lanqas fil-qiegħ tagħhom u lanqas fil-kustat fejn qabel kellu feriti li kienu
jidhru tajjeb”. Sala iddikjara wkoll li dan il-fatt “huwa għal kollox barrani
minn kull tip ta’ komportament kliniku”.
Patri Piju ndifen fil-Kripta tas-Santwarju ta’ San
Giovanni Rotondo. Nhar it-23 ta’ Mejju 1987, il-Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II, li meta
kien għadu student f’Ruma kien iltaqa’ u tkellem ma’ Patri Piju, mar iżur
il-qabar tiegħu u talab fit-tul fuqu. Tnax –il sena wara kien dan l-istess Papa
li ddikjarah beatu, nhar it-2 ta’ Mejju 1999. Nhar is-16 ta' Ġunju 2002
l-istess Papa ddikjarah qaddis. Il-Knisja tagħmel it-tifkira ta' San Piju ta’
Pietrelcina nhar it-23 ta’ Settembru.
A documentary examining the life of Saint Padre Pio
Padre Pio (Saint Pio) 1 hourWhat does it mean for the Church when a saint's body doesn't decompose?
The Extraordinary Life of Padre Pio: Unveiling His Mysteries and Miracles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vvAUfFtcgM
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