Padre Pio the Saint

With Canonization comes the obligation, not just the privilege, to render the due justice of universal public veneration to someone whose life, and God's working in that life, has been crowned with the eternal vision of God. Canonization does not put a person in heaven, it recognizes that God's grace and their cooperation with grace has done so.

Between Beatification and Canonization the Cause had to overcome two obstacles, one procedural and one spiritual. The procedural obstacle is the approval of a second miracle, first through a Process in the diocese in which it occurred,  and then by the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. The spiritual obstacle is the certainty of the Supreme Pontiff that the person is worthy to be canonized. It has been related by visitors to the Vatican that when asked about when Padre Pio would be canonized the Pope has responded, "Pray, pray. Even the Pope must pray." Those prayers have now reaped their fruit.

Thus, in this way, by practical tests, of the life, of the intercessory power of the candidate, and by the prayerful and serene judgment of the Pontiff, the Holy Spirit works through human instruments to ensure the authenticity of a   canonization.

In the words of the formula used for canonizations we can see the solemn judgment and infallible authority of the Supreme Pastor of the Church at work and give thanks that they have been pronounced on behalf of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.

For the honor of the Blessed Trinity, the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the fostering of the Christian life, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own, after due deliberation and frequent prayers for the divine assistance, and having sought the counsel of our Brother Bishops, we declare and define that Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, is a saint and we enroll him among the saints, decreeing that he is to be venerated in the whole Church as one of the saints. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

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