In Piana Romana, Padre Pio received the first signs of the stigmata and it was in these fields that he found inspiration for his vocation through his encounter with friar Camillo from Sant’Elia in Pianisi.
Piana Romana: The Farmhouse “Masseria”
Piana Romana is a hilly, agricultural area within the territory of Pietrelcina. Here stands the Forgione family’s Masseria, a rural home reflecting the simplicity of a farming lifestyle. The Forgione Masseria is a rustic stone building, with bare walls and no plaster, a large hearth, and a hayloft. In this simple and peaceful setting, the young Francesco Forgione found the ideal silence to immerse himself in prayer and contemplation. Amid the fields of Piana Romana, he tended sheep and spent hours in a straw hut under an elm tree, reading, studying, and praying.
In these peaceful lands, Padre Pio’s encounter with friar Camillo from Sant’Elia in Pianisi ignited the spark of his vocation, transforming the quiet of the countryside into a place of profound divine inspiration. During his stay in Piana Romana, Padre Pio began to feel strange pains in his hands and feet. He informed his spiritual director, Father Benedetto, writing: “A little bit of redness appeared in the palm of my hands, almost in the shape of a coin, accompanied by a sharp and intense pain at that spot. The pain was stronger in my left hand and continues to this day. I also feel some pain under my feet.”
This happened in September of 1910, while he was deep in prayer and contemplation under the shade of an elm tree. In Piana Romana, Padre Pio experienced an extraordinary moment: the first signs of the stigmata, marking the beginning of a unique spiritual journey.
The Well at Piana Romana
Next to what was once the Forgione family’s vineyard, now transformed into a lush pine grove, stands the well associated with a pivotal moment in Padre Pio’s life. During its construction, Francesco’s father, Zì Grazio, dug tirelessly but had no success. He reached three meters deep without finding water. Frustration began to overwhelm him. Calmly and firmly, young Francesco reassured him: “Papa, don’t get angry. The water isn’t there, but it’s in another spot.” Francesco pointed to the precise location, explaining that Jesus himself had revealed it to him. Though skeptical, Zì Grazio followed his son’s advice. His frustration boiled over as he muttered: “Alright, Francesco. But if there’s no water where you say, I’ll throw you into the pit!” Despite his doubts, he began digging in the new spot. After just a few meters, water started gushing out abundantly. Francesco, calm as ever, added: “Keep digging, because more water will flow.” And it did. This episode, filled with faith and humility, remains vivid in the memory of all who visit Piana Romana. It is a place where nature and spirituality blend in harmony.