Abruzzo Day 4. 19th April.
Amazing devotion and emotion.
In this last shot of this wonderful place, I was awed at how these women showed their reverence to Padre Pio. The lady with the photo of family members, seeking his blessings for them too demonstrates her devotion to the saint. The corpse had been lying in another part of the complex at San Giovanni Rotondo but was exhumed and brought here when this beautiful crypt was completed. The face wears a mask, otherwise the body is real.
I chose the title ‘Fit for Kings’ for yesterday’s shot. I say ‘Fit for Kings’ but kings have come and gone and immediately forgotten. They impressed others with riches they made from wars or through the hard labour of others. This humble man, like other saintly personages – Madre Theresa of Calcutta immediately comes to mind – will remain with us forever. They didn’t possess money and gave to others all that they had – love.
I have shown some shots of the spectacular parts of the complex but this was not all. With our guide we visited Padre Pio’s monastery cell, the place and the Cruxifix where he prayed and received the stigmata, his previous burial place before he was moved here in 2010, a small museum dedicated to his life and other interesting places connected to Padre Pio’s life.
At the beginning of this series I said that one reason why I was sceptic on going on this holiday was because I considered that a whole day would be ‘wasted’ to visit this place. I didn’t even look up any information on the place – something I always do when I go abroad. In the end it was a fabulous experience, one that I will not forget easily.
Thank you so very much for your response on the pictures I showed of this place, your comments and fav’s which put 3 out of 4 photos on the Trending Pace.
I can imagine you being flabbergasted with the opulence of these places! The history and stories are so important too and the reverence as you have shown is a deep respect shown for a saint-like person!
What an awesome place and what a contrast to the simple life Padre Pio must have lived. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of this amazing place of worship.
Thank you for sharing both your heart and pictures around this place and Padre Pio. Although it is not part of my religious practice, I have a deep admiration for how devoted those who worship this way are. I also have a great amount of respect for Padre Pio and Mother Theresa. Not many people would sacrifice as they did even though they may claim to have the same amount of love for God. This has been a great series Dione!
Thanks for sharing