Life Of St. Padre Pio Of Pietrelcina (In Verse) Poem by Dr John Celes

A baby boy was born
To peasants, one fine morn;
And christened Francesco,
A day after birth, Oh!

Much pious was the lad,
In world so very bad;
He prayed a lot in life,
And didn’t mind any strife!

He loved to be a priest,
And work for Jesus Christ;
And loved the cassock brown
Of Capuchins in town!

He talked with Christ each day,
And guardian angel Fay;
And Mother Mary too –
His duty well, to do!

He joined the Friary,
As per his wish-diary;
And took his priestly vows,
In Capuchin’s main House!

He lived a humble life,
Despite his sickness rife;
And saw Christ in his dreams:
All crucified, it seems!

He chose the suff’ring way;
And so, in illness lay;
He took the prayer-key,
Opening Eternity!

God gave him unique gifts,
And spiritual uplifts;
He wrought miracles great,
And kept soul like clean slate.

He was a good preacher;
He was a good teacher;
And said the Holy Mass;
Heard confessions, Alas!

He loved the Holy Cross;
Christ Jesus was his boss;
He prayed the Rosary
Fervently to Mary.

He lived to ripe old age,
And turned to be a sage;
They saw him in places
Afar, with love’s gazes.

He used to tell others:
Pray, Hope – sisters, brothers;
And don’t worry at all:
God lifts you if you fall.

‘Confess your sins’, he said;
‘Fill soul with grace instead;
Avoid Almighty’s rod,
And take more souls to God.’

Christ’s stigmata, he had:
The wounds painfully bled;
But just before his death,
They healed with his last breath!

Christ’s stigmata, He bore,
For fifty years or more;
The crucifix, he held
All life, as God’s love welled!

Close to his heart, the Cross –
Yes, Jesus was his boss!
His love of God was great;
For sins, he had a hate.

A poor friar, he was,
And toiled for divine cause;
Despite a not good health,
But virtues – his one wealth!

God made him ‘Blessed’ soon,
And canonized him – boon
To Capuchin’s order,
That spread his good odor!

Even the earth, may be,
Without the sun surely;
But Holy Mass is one
Sacrifice of God’s Son!

Lovingly dedicated to St. Padre Pio

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-20-2008