The Chapel of Saint Francis in Pietrelcina preserves the trunk of the tree under which Padre Pio received his first stigmata. During a moment of prayer, the first signs of the Passion of Christ appeared, leaving a profound mark on Padre Pio’s life from that moment on. The chapel is a place of devotion, inviting reflection on redemptive suffering.
The Place of Padre Pio’s First Stigmata
The Chapel of St. Francis (Cappella di San Francesco), a place of deep spirituality and memory, is located in the picturesque village of Pietrelcina, in southern Italy. It houses a precious fragment of sacred history: the remains of the elm tree under which Padre Pio received his first stigmata. This majestic elm tree, with its lush canopy, provided natural shelter where Padre Pio loved to sit and immerse himself in study and prayer during the years he spent in his hometown.On September 7, 1910, something extraordinary happened at the foot of this tree. About a month after his priestly ordination, while in prayer, Padre Pio received the first signs of Christ’s Passion: the stigmata.
He described this unique and overwhelming experience in a letter to his spiritual director, humbly recounting what had occurred with amazement: “…Last night something happened to me that I neither know how to explain nor understand. In the middle of my palms, a red spot appeared, almost the shape of a coin, accompanied by a sharp and intense pain in the middle of that red spot. This pain was more pronounced in the center of my left hand, and it still persists. I also feel some pain under my feet. This phenomenon has been repeating for almost a year…”
The Chapel of Saint Francis preserves the trunk of the tree under which Padre Pio experienced his first stigmata. During a moment of intense prayer, the initial signs of the Passion of Christ appeared, leaving an indelible mark on his life. The initiative to build the chapel dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi began in 1958, thanks to Mercurio Scocca, Padre Pio’s childhood friend, who wanted to honor the saint with a sacred place for contemplation. Today, a path lined with tall pine trees leads visitors to this spiritually charged place. Walking along this path means following a journey of meditation and remembrance, leading to the chapel as a meeting point between heaven and earth, a silent witness to a moment of grace that profoundly impacted Padre Pio’s life and the history of the Christian faith.
All rights reserved – © padrepiodapietrelcina.com 2020
Dear brother, dear sisterif you are reading these pages you have felt the need to meet Padre Pio in your heart.
Every day, with this Blog, we comfort those who are experiencing a difficult time or want to strengthen their faith. Unfortunately, management costs and expenses are high. Our commitment alone is not enough. Help us with your support.
If you believe in what we do and if you approve what we publish send your contribution, whatever you can/want. Support: Padrepiodapietrelcina.com Devotional Blog dedicated to Padre Pio.
Your little support is very valuable for everyone. Thank you