CBB Review: The Joyful Spirit of Padre Pio: Stories, Letters and Prayers

Last updated on: May 6, 2015 at 5:30 pm by Pete Socks

CBB Review: The Joyful Spirit of Padre Pio: Stories, Letters and Prayers 2015-05-05T18:20:37-05:00 Pete Socks

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One of my favorite saints, and the favorite of many, is Padre Pio. I was particularly interested when Servant Books released The Joyful Spirit of Padre Pio: Stories, Letters, and Prayers. My interest was raised a notch higher when I found out the author of the book was Patricia Treece. This makes the fourth title she has written on this modern Saint as well as mention of him in her book Nothing Short of a Miracle.

The book consists of excerpts from letters to his spiritual directors, notes to those who wrote him seeking his guidance, as well as a number of his own prayers he used for those seeking his intercession. The combination of all these sources of material provide the reader with an intimate look into the thought and character of Padre Pio. With the book coming in at 233 pages the reader will certainly come away with a better understanding of this beloved saint.

Each of the books eight chapters are centered around a certain theme. God’s Love and Mercy; A Joyful Spirit; Healings, Signs, and Miracles; Prayer; Longing for God; Victory in Spiritual Warfare; Faith; and On Relationships are the topics covered. The chapters open with a brief intro by Patricia and are followed by multiple related excerpts from Padre Pio’s own writings.

Since the book is comprised of the actual writings of Padre Pio it is much more insightful than a biography. The content provides a window into the thought of this great saint. In the introduction Patricia tells us the the materials used for the book were provided by Father Joseph Pius Martin, a spiritual son of Pio. The authenticity of this source material ensures the reader they are getting factual information throughout the book.

“In these pages, along with those he ministered to and his parish priest, you will find his Capuchin family – his teachers and spiritual directors, Pio’s own students and spiritual directees, novices and mature friary mates he lived with for decades. They witness neither to Pio’s perfection nor to his extraordinary spiritual gifts so much as the richness of his love, especially forbearance for each of them – and or all.”

If you have any interest in Saint Padre Pio this book should be on your reading list. Unlike biographies, which hold their own place of importance, this book uses Pio’s own words to paint a picture of the saint. One of someone who faced struggles including his own “dark nights of the soul”. Despite this he still maintained a joy and humor that shines through in the pages of this book. These a lessons each of us can learn from.

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The Joyful Spirit of Padre Pio

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