Pray, Hope & Don't Worry was his motto

Today is the Feast of St. Padre Pio . He has always been a saint dear to our family. My oldest son was fascinated by him (bilocation, stigmata, seeing into souls) and did reports on him, even dressing like him for Halloween. Later, when we created our Saint Basket, Padre Pio "chose us" more than once!

from the book "Padre Pio's Words of Hope"

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 "Three times I appealed t the Lord about this [trial], that it would leave me, but he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.'

But I worry that God will abandon me because of my weaknesses.

Padre Pio's assurance: "Heavenly goodness permits weaknesses, not in order to abandon you, but to render you humble and more steadfast, more firm and more tightly attached to the hand of this divine mercy"

"Do not lose heart, but in your weakness, unite yourself more to Jesus who speaks to you through wise advisers. When the words of comfort and the voice of your wise director calm you after your anxiety, this is a sign that you are dear to Jesus."

"Take comfort in our most sweet Lord, as you should know that the soul's greatest misery is when it doesn't feel weak, but feels strong; when it
trusts in itself; when it is over-confident"

"Oh, if only al souls could experience such a holy weakness, we would not see so many souls fall at every instant. A soul who felt its weakness and
had recourse to God for help has never fallen."

Lord, I feel my weakness every moment of every day. Help me to always place my confidence in you, for in my weakness you are strong. Amen.