Following Padre Pio: A Journey of Discovery from Pietrelcina to San Giovanni Rotondo

Allison Gingras shares a review and interview with Bret Thoman, OFS, the author of a new book about Padre Pio.

Have you ever dreamed of a pilgrimage to Italy to follow in the footsteps of spiritual giants like Padre Pio? Many years ago, I had the blessing of attending a retreat where we could venerate one of Padre Pio’s gloves, covered in the blood from the stigmata on his hands. For those curious, it was in a protective holder and was far less gross than one would think. I love that we have this beautiful practice in our faith of "touching heaven" through the relics of holy men and women who went before us and figured out how to live holy lives.

That day, I touched my crucifix to the relic and have worn it around my neck ever since—going on 15 years now! Over the years, I have been amazed at the loving presence of this powerhouse saint in my life. Padre Pio invited people to become his spiritual children, even making a covenant with God not to enter Heaven until all of these special children were with him there. Particularly remarkable to me in this discovery was learning Padre Pio and my father shared the same birthday; having struggled for years with building a meaningful relationship with my birth father, I appreciated my spiritual father all the more. I also believe Padre Pio played a significant role in our reconciliation before my father’s death in 2018.

following padre pio

So, when I saw Bret Thoman's book, Following Padre Pio, come across the Catholic Mom review list, I knew I had to not only read it but also make time to speak to Bret on my podcast, A Seeking Heart with Allison Gingras, a podcast about Catholic books and learning how to live our faith in the everyday ordinary of our daily lives.

As for the pilgrimage, while I still dream of visiting Italy and all the beautiful landmarks, especially those associated with Padre Pio, reading Bret’s new book, I felt as if I’d gone and, in a way, I’d never be able to experience on my own! I feel confident you’ll feel that way, too, after spending time in Following Padre Pio, as well.

From Bret Thoman's Website on Following Padre Pio:

He was born in a rural, farming village. He entered a Franciscan order centered on harsh penance and radical poverty. He lived more than fifty years in a mountain hermitage. And yet, everyone has heard his name. But few know who Padre Pio truly was.

In his latest work, Bret Thoman has pierced the life of Padre Pio in a novel way: through an updated biography combined with a pilgrimage to all eleven Capuchin friaries and sites where the stigmatic saint lived.

With Pietrelcina as his base, Thoman sets out each morning to all the friaries where Padre Pio lived. In the “Footsteps” sections, he accompanies the reader into these special places with captivating storytelling and detailed descriptions of what he encounters.

He discovers that the cells where Padre Pio lived have been preserved with vintage furnishings to make them look exactly like they were when the saint was there in the early twentieth century. Further, each site has a small museum with relics and artefacts from his life. To bring these sites to life, there are over eighty color photographs included in this ebook edition.

The most captivating part of the journey, however, is the rich encounters the author has with the friars, sisters, and laypersons he meets along the way. Some knew Padre Pio personally. Their testimonies and stories beautifully inform the pages of this book.

For those who will never be able to visit the friaries of Padre Pio personally, this book is like a pilgrimage that can be taken from one’s armchair at home. May God bless you as you make the journey.

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