Welcoming the Christ Child with Padre Pio: Daily Reflections for Advent

St. Pio of Pietrelcina had a deep devotion to the Christ Child. The man more commonly referred to as Padre Pio also possessed bizarre and unique mystical gifts: Jesus continuously came to him in the form of a little child.

In Welcoming the Christ Child with Padre Pio, stories about the saint known for his stigmata and ability to bilocate are woven with scripture and prayer that can assist you experience Advent—Padre Pio’s favorite season—with greater hope and joy.

Each day of Advent you’re going to read an account from someone who knew Padre Pio, including

• his Capuchin brothers’ amazement as they witnessed Padre Pio walking the halls of the monastery, cradling an apparition of the Christ Child;
• the miraculous healing of Vera Marie Calandra, who was once blessed by the Franciscan monk as an infant and whose parents later founded the National Centre for Padre Pio; and
• examples of the bizarre spiritual gifts of this holy confessor, including his stigmata, his ability to bilocate and read hearts, and the healing gifts that flowed from his fervent devotion to the Holy Family.

This book contains day-to-day readings for Advent. On a daily basis includes a quotation from Padre Pio, a short story about the saint, a scripture reflection, and prayer that can assist you follow this bizarre saint’s example and welcome the Christ Child into your home and heart all the way through Advent.

An appendix includes additional resources and prayers to be informed more about Padre Pio.