Padre Pio received the stigmata, or wounds of Christ, on September 20, 1918. This event determined his destiny and made him a powerful sign to the world. What does this phenomenon mean? It probably parallels what St. Paul said of himself when he wrote, “I am now rejoicing in my suffering … in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” (Col 1:24). What is lacking in Christ’s suffering? Absolutely nothing! His sufferings have an infinite value
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