AS we celebrated the canonization of Padre Pio on June16,2002,let us ponder on his thoughts,life history,and his teachings of Jesus Christ.

 Padre Pio joined the capuchian ministry and became a priest in the Franciscan first order.As to the true doctrine of Francis of Assisi,he led a life of simplicity,dedicaion,and devotion to God.

 He is renown for his miracles and his stigmata.He was the first priest in the history of the Roman Catholic Church with the stigmata - the five wounds of Jesus Christ - on his body. He bore this for fifty years!.The blood from his wounds bore a sweetened perfume which was renown for curing the sick.There stands a lot of testimonies relating to it.

 Among his other gifts were perfume, bilocation, prophecy, conversion, reading of souls, and miraculous cures. People are still being cured through his intercession in ways that cannot be explained by medicine or science.

 He dedicated his life to the crucifixtion of Jesus.His aim was to lead a life of penance,prayer,love,and obedience to God.

 During his life time,he prepared atleast for two hours,prior to the offering of mass.There were large crowds to take-part in his mass.He is said to be so involved in the mass that,he was seen in tears amidst the mass.

 There were lot of people to take part in the confession given by him.He used to hear for 16 hours daily.He had the ability to read the mind of others,so in turn,he used to even tell the sins that the confessor had forgotten or refused to say to him.It is said that he had given confession for two million People.

 He was a great devotee to Mother Mary.He was always seen with the rosary around his neck.The head father and the brothers in the seminery were astonished at the way he said the rosary,as he used to become one with God.

  At the time of death,it is said he was seen very happy.The funeral mass was attended by one lakh people.It was offered by twenty seven Capuchian priests and many other district priests.

  He was beatified on May 2,1999.From then on,millions of people pray through him to God.

 Due to testimonies of miracles and wonders,the Pope John Paul 11 cananised him on 16th June,2002.

 The cananisation witnessed seven lakh people, by Pope John Paul the 11, in Vatican city.The celebration was reflected throughout the world.His believers throng him with petitions from everywhere,and his wonders are still wonders to many.