The Church of Saint Anne (Chiesa di Sant’Anna) in Pietrelcina was fundamental to Padre Pio’s spiritual growth. Here, he received the sacraments and had extraordinary mystical experiences, including visions of the Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. His connection to the place was further strengthened by the relics of Saint Pius Martyr, which influenced his choice of religious name.
Church of Saint Anne: Francesco Forgione’s first Experiences of Faith
In the heart of the Rione Castello district in Pietrelcina stands the Church of Saint Anne (Chiesa di Sant’Anna), a place of prayer and spirituality that profoundly shaped Padre Pio’s life. This sacred building, small yet rich in history and meaning, was where young Francesco Forgione first experienced his faith. It was here that he received the sacraments marking the milestones of his spiritual journey: baptism, first communion and confirmation. The church also bore witness to moments of deep divine connection through mystical visions and spiritual ecstasy.
Historical Origins and Artistic Structure
Built in the 13th century, the Church of Saint Anne stands at the highest point of the Rione Castello district . Its two naves, which have borne witness to centuries of devotion, house a main altar featuring a magnificent 17th-century painting of the Our Lady of Loreto. The smaller nave contains niches with 18th-century statues of the Assumption, the Crowned Madonna, and Saint Rose, representing the deeply rooted faith of the community. A particularly notable feature is the altar dedicated to Saint Anne, which holds the relics of Saint Pius Martyr. These relics, gifted to the Pietrelcina community in 1801 by the feudal lord Carafa, were brought from the catacombs of Priscilla. For Padre Pio, they carried profound symbolic value, inspiring him to choose his religious name and reinforcing his spiritual connection to this sacred place.
Padre Pio’s Baptism and Other Sacraments
Upon entering the church, visitors will find, on the left, a fresco depicting the baptism of Jesus, leading to a stone baptismal font topped by a wooden ciborium. It was here, on May 26, 1887, that Francesco Forgione was baptized by Don Nicolantonio Orlando, marking the beginning of his remarkable spiritual journey. In this same church, Francesco received his first communion and confirmation. He was confirmed at the age of twelve by the Archbishop of Benevento, Monsignor Donato Maria Dell’Olio.
A Place of Mysticism and Prayer
Beyond the sacraments, the Church of Saint Anne was a space of prayer and worship for Padre Pio. He celebrated numerous Masses here and spent time hearing the confessions of Pietrelcina’s faithful. Within these sacred walls, Padre Pio also experienced extraordinary mystical moments, including visions of the Virgin Mary, the Guardian Angel, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In his letters, he described these profound experiences with great emotion: “The beating of my heart when I am with Jesus in the Sacrament is so intense that it feels as though it might burst out of my chest. At the altar, I sometimes feel so enflamed that it defies description, especially in my face, which seems to burn entirely in a divine fire.”
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