“The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The Greek word translated as “dwelt” (ἐσκήνωσεν; “eskēnōsen”) means, more literally, “put up his tent among us,” or “tabernacled, sojourned.” Drawing on Old Testament imagery (see Ex 25:8–9), within this tent or tabernacle, God would “dwell in our midst.” Using poetic imagery, St. John’s message is that the Word is the new mode of God’s presence among his people. The tent is the world, which is now indwelt by Jesus. Christ is begotten as a man and has fully informed the world. The specific place where Jesus dwelled most of his earthly life was his hometown of Nazareth. Scripture reveals that most of Jesus’ early life was ordinary. In Nazareth, he grew up and “was obedient to [his parents and] advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man” (Luke 2:51-52). Even during his ministries – in which he began publicly performing miracles and healings – he did ordinary things. Within these mundane events and happenings, extraordinary things occurred. It is said that one cannot fully know someone else without visiting the place where he or she grew up. At the affective level, for those who love Christ, there is something moving about walking where Jesus walked and touching his land. One feels a special closeness to Jesus after seeing the vistas his eyes gazed upon. As anyone who has been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land can attest, visiting the places where Jesus lived leads to a more profound understanding of the Scriptures. Indeed, after a visit to the Holy Land, one never hears the Gospels in quite the same way. Like Christ who was formed in a very human way in his hometown of Nazareth, the saints, too, led human lives. They were not formed in a vacuum. In their own hometowns – among parents and relatives, educators and catechists, friends and companions – their personalities, minds, and spiritualities were formed. They are people, and they have their personal story. Padre Pio was no exception. In Following Padre Pio: A Journey of Discovery from Pietrelcina to San Giovanni Rotondo, author Bret Thoman takes a look at the life of the great stigmatized saint in a novel way: by personally exploring all the friaries where he lived. The reality is that Padre Pio was the progeny of a people. He was formed by those of his native town, as well as the friars of the Capuchin Province he entered. Just as Christians explore the Holy Land to know Christ more intimately, by visiting Padre Pio’s friaries, one can understand him better. Combining scholarship, studies in Franciscan spirituality, and personal experience, Thoman has created a fresh, new narrative about Padre Pio. Drawing on the Letters of Padre Pio, the early Italian sources, and updated biographies, this book generously adds to the repertoire of works on the Capuchin saint from San Giovanni Rotondo. But this book is more than another “Life of Padre Pio.” With Pietrelcina as his base, Thoman sets out each morning to all the friaries where Padre Pio lived. In the “Footsteps” sections, he accompanies the reader into these special places with captivating storytelling and detailed descriptions of what he encounters. The province of Sant'Angelo and Foggia (currently renamed, Padre Pio and Foggia) is vast. It covers three regions. For the drafting of this book, the author followed Padre Pio’s life from his birth and childhood in Pietrelcina, through his entrance into the Capuchin Order and various assignments throughout the vast Province of Sant’Angelo and Foggia, and finally to San Giovanni Rotondo where he lived for five decades. The first excursion begins in Morcone, where the future Padre Pio entered the novitiate in 1903. After making first vows, he was sent to Sant’Elia a Pianisi to begin his studies. The next ten years were spent among various friaries throughout the vast Province interspersed with stints back home at Pietrelcina for health reasons: the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Monti in Campobasso (1905); San Marco la Catola (1905-1906); Serracapriola (1907-1908); Montefusco (autumn-winter, 1908); Gesualdo (1911); Venafro (October-December 7, 1911); and Foggia (1916). Finally, he ascended the Gargano Promontory where he would live in the rural friary outside of San Giovanni Rotondo. There he would remain for fifty years until his death on September 23, 1968. All the cells where Padre Pio lived have been preserved with vintage furnishings to make them look exactly like they were in the early twentieth century. Additionally, each site boasts a small museum with relics and artefacts from his life. Numerous photographs are included in the book. The journey throughout the vast Province of Padre Pio was not easy. The author logged over 1,500 kilometers (930 mi) on his vehicle to reach the sites spread out across three southern Italian regions. Many are in remote mountain locations making them difficult to find and hard to reach. But the difficulties were countered with rewarding visits among the friars, sisters, and laypersons the author met along the way – including some who knew Padre Pio personally. Their testimonies and stories are the highlight of the book. In Gesualdo, for example, the author met Fr. Emidio Cappabianca, who was with Padre Pio when he died. Friars like him - and others the author met along the way - were the highlight of the journey in the footsteps of Padre Pio. Walking in the footsteps of Padre Pio brought to life this great saint of the twentieth century in a remarkable way. The author's faith was strengthened as he came to know Padre Pio more deeply. For those who will never be able to visit the friaries of Padre Pio personally, this book is like a pilgrimage that can be taken from one’s armchair at home. It is worth the trip.
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St. John the Evangelist begins his Gospel with an exhortation from the other St. John – the Baptist. When asked who he was by the priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem to interrogate him, he responded, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord” (1:19-23). He was quoting the prophet Isaiah, who said, “A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” (40:3).
This phrase of the Baptist is richly drawn on in liturgies during this period of Advent. It is a calling to prepare oneself for the coming of the Messiah. It is an exhortation to repent. St. Matthew adds a phrase to John the Baptist’s plea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (3:2). He is calling his listeners to have a change of heart and conduct – to turn their lives from rebellion to obedience towards God. The Baptist’s plea is both literal and figurative. He spent most of his life as an ascetic preaching in the desert. He was in the lower Jordan Valley when this exchange took place. Those who have been on pilgrimage to the Holy Land know that the land surrounding the Jordan River to the east of Jerusalem is arid and lifeless. On the obligatory excursion down to the Dead Sea, a good guide will point out Bedouins who still live in the area. Other than them, there is not much there. But the biblical meaning is more profound. St. John’s reference to the wilderness suggests that he was calling his listeners to come into the desert. The spiritual meaning of the desert is that it is a place of temptation, but also an oasis for allowing God to speak. I experienced this voice recently. However, I was not in the wilderness of the Judean Desert. I was in a place quite the opposite: the crowded, metropolitan city of Florence – a veritable cultural and artistic mecca. And a secularized desert. International Travel Is BackAfter nearly three years of lockdowns, travel restrictions, vax requirements and documentation, PCR and Antigen tests, TRAVEL IS BACK.
All pilgrimage destinations are open with no restrictions. Italy, the United States, Israel, France, Spain, and Portugal are all welcome visitors! Today there is no lack of spirituality despite the scourge of Coronavirus. On the contrary, the internet is booming with articles, blogs, and YouTube videos offering spiritual guidance or purporting to explain the pandemic.
I know because I’ve been there myself. Frequently. I’ve also reached out to spiritual directors, attentively followed the homilies and reflections during the extraordinary papal events, and fervently asked God in prayer… all to make sense of what’s happening right now. But, to be honest, I don’t have much clarity. Italy, where I live with my family, was hit early and hard. When we went into lockdown forty-six days ago (at time of publication), we were the first country in the western world to do so. All businesses, factories, and shops were shut down with the exception of a narrow range of “sectors” considered vital related to food or medicine production or distribution. Most Italians are forbidden to leave their homes with only a few exceptions (grocery shopping or the pharmacy). Violating the decree can result in a steep €5000 ($5500) fine, confiscation of vehicle, and up to 90 days in prison. Perhaps the most dramatic part of the decree – for those of us accustomed to an active faith life -- is the restrictions on the Church. Church doors can remain open, but the ban on “assembly of persons” necessitates the suspension of all Masses and the reception of sacraments in any form. There is no exception even for baptisms, weddings, or funerals. Following are testimonies written by participants of our pilgrimages from Fall, 2019“The pilgrimage experience you organized was totally wonderful. […] and I will highly recommend it to anyone considering a pilgrimage to Assisi. I think we were blessed with being able to share the experience with our Filipino and Japanese brother and sisters and it was a living example of the universality of our faith and our commonality. Father Frank was a special blessing also as a liturgist, homilist, experienced pilgrim and a fun fellow traveler. I was so impressed with Magdelena's historical knowledge and also her spirituality which was inspiring. Your presence and hospitality and concern for our comfort and needs were greatly appreciated. Our accommodations were comfortable and convenient. The restaurant meals were well chosen. […] The return travel effects have now worn off and I am now able to process and re-live some of the important parts of the pilgrimage within myself. I am so very grateful for having made the trip and for being connected with Saint Francis and Saint Clare in a deeper way, for making great friendships with my fellow pilgrims and for a meaningful preparation for my Profession in Dec. With Gratitude and Love, Gayle, North Carolina.”
“Thank you for all the time, planning and loving energy you and Katia put into making our Pilgrimage special and an experience of my lifetime. Francis's spirit continues to live through me. I wish you and your beautiful family many unexpected blessings. With gratitude and love,” Mary Marinucci, North Carolina "I recently returned for the pilgrimage led by Fr. Peter O'Brien to Italy. It was a great experience! Father was a good spiritual guide and a very kind and friendly person. Our guide Loredana was terrific. She seems to really love her job. Our driver Fabriggio (sp?) did a fine job, and I never felt unsafe when we were on the road. The itinerary was thorough. Hotels were very good, […]. Meals provided were tasty and bountiful. […]. I hope all is well with you and your family now, Brett. Take care and God bless you." Matt Crowley, Grants Pass, Oregon “Ed and I enjoyed our pilgrimage. We have travelled extensively, occasionally with tour groups, but had not been on a pilgrimage trip before. I found the pilgrimage to be spiritually beneficial and I do think that the experience will continue to bear fruit going forward. I found the daily mass to be very nourishing. Being able to attend daily mass in such beautiful, profound places was probably the biggest highlight of the trip for me. Thank you for your efforts in arranging those. Confession during the trip gave me the opportunity for spiritual growth as well. The fellowship with the other members of the group was a positive factor as well. Fr. Peter did a great job on the trip as spiritual director. Loredana did an outstanding job as tour guide. She was knowledgeable, very personable, and always, always went the extra mile to try to arrange whatever anyone asked for.” Jamie & Ed Diehl, Portland Oregon “I am really grateful that I was able to go on this beautiful pilgrimage to Southern France. I find there are many parallels of the pilgrimage to my (or anyone) spiritual life. The hardships, the joys, the work, the disappointments, the pains, and the blissful moments were experience on this journey as they are usually occur in our normal life back at home. An example of that parallel: when we arrived in Toulouse, some of our luggage had not followed us to our destination. I, with some of the others, was without some of essentials for a couple of days. That was one of the hardships of being deprived which was no different in my non-traveling life. For a delightful, blissful moment: one of my favorite highlights is the hike up to St. Mary Magdalene Grotto. The effort of the journey to get there was epic from the bus driving up there to the actual hike. Once to the top with the view and the cool church, I felt that I earned it after the hot and arduous hike. One can make the comparison to our pilgrimage to a foretaste of Heaven with all the hard work before our rest in the end if, in God's grace, we make it there. Thank you for organizing this wonderful pilgrimage.” Thomas Rousseau, Portland Oregon "Fr. Frank, you were a light and an inspiration to our pilgrimage. Thank you to all my fellow pilgrims and to Bret. Ours was a unique experience composed of the lives, spirituality, faith, and love of each of us individually. There will never be another exactly like it. We came as individuals, each bringing along our own personal journey. We shared, we laughed, we cried, we celebrated, ourselves and each other. We were changed. We created something new and unique. As I transition back into my daily life, I bring a piece of each of you with me. I pray for you and ask Our Lord to bless you as you continue your personal journey which now contains a piece of each of us. Peace and love, with God’s blessings always, until our paths meet again.” Brenda Harris, North Carolina I recently went to Israel on two pilgrimages. My experiences in the Holy Land have led me to consider Francis and reflect on his experience there, how he related to people of different faith.
Last year, 2019, marked the eighth centenary of the legendary encounter between St. Francis and the leader of the Muslim army, Sultan Malek al-Kamil. It took place sometime between spring and summer, the year 1219. He arrived in Acre, the port city on the Mediterranean Coast. This was the same city where St. Paul landed after departing from Tyre (Acts 21:7). In the thirteenth century it served as the capital of the Latin Crusader Kingdom. To this day, tourists in the Old City can still visit the quarters of the Franks, Venetians, Pisans, and Genoans recalling their past military and trading presence. Today the city is referred to as Akko by both Jews and Muslims. It is mostly Jewish, as it lies just to the north of Israel’s third largest city, Haifa. But it is only twelve miles to the southern border of Lebanon, and is roughly one third Arabic. There is only one Catholic church in Akko today. Dedicated to St. John and under the Custody of the Franciscans of the Holy Land, it serves the small Latin Christian community that still survives. Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and a Spiritual Son “After my death I will make more noise. My real mission will begin after my death.” Saint Pio of Pietrelcina From April 25 through May 5, I had the joy and honor of accompanying to the United State and interpreting for one of the last living spiritual sons of Padre Pio of Pietrellcina. Adolfo Affatato, now 82 years old, met Padre Pio when he was just sixteen years old and spent the last fifteen years of the saint’s life by his side. Padre Pio was born in 1887 to a poor family on the small town of Pietrelcina (in the region of Campania near Benevento). His baptismal name was Francesco, after St. Francis of Assisi. As a child he wanted to become a priest and friar, however, his parents lacked the money to teach him to read and write. Therefore, his father emigrated to the United States in order to earn money to send his son to seminary. There Padre Pio began to experience extraordinary graces and supernatural phenomena. However, he was frequently sick which forced him to return home. Back in Pietrelcina, he received the invisible stigmata when he was 21 years old. When his state improved, he returned to the community near Benevento. Yet, his health – in particular his lungs – remained ill. When a fellow friar suggested he go to the hill-town of San Giovanni Rotondo, where the air might do good for his health, Padre Pio knew he would remain there for the rest of his life. The year was 1916 and Padre Pio was 29 years old. Two years later, on September 20, 1918, before a crucifix above the ancient church in San Giovanni Rotondo, Padre Pio received the five wounds of Christ. Shortly before that, he had experienced “Transverberation” or the piercing of his heart. Soon, word of these miracles and his reputation as a mystic and healer spread. Countless souls who confessed to him described how Padre Pio could “read their souls” and how he knew their sins before confessing them. There are stories of bi-location where Padre Pio would appear simultaneously in two places at the same time. Friars who lived with him recount hearing strange noises at night from within his cell in which the holy friar was struck by demons who left bruises and scrapes on his body. When asked about these phenomena, Padre Pio answered that he did not understand them and that they were a mystery even to him. Given Padre Pio’s extraordinary popularity, Church authorities exercised prudence, and for a period of time he was forbidden from hearing confessions, celebrating Mass in public, and from corresponding with his spiritual sons and daughters. This caused him immense suffering. Later, the order was lifted by the pope himself. Despite the many miracles attributed to his intercession, perhaps Padre Pio’s greatest work was the construction of the hospital called, “Sollievo della Sofferenza” (Relief of Suffering) which Padre Pio had built entirely through donations. Having borne the stigmata, which caused him great physical suffering, Padre Pio always had great empathy and compassion for the sick. Padre Pio retained the stigmata for fifty years until his death on September 23, 1968, when the wounds mysteriously healed. Countless people continue to testify to this day being visited by Padre Pio in dreams or through the fragrance of roses and violets. Saint Padre Pio was canonized on June 16, 2002. Here are some highlights and major events of the Thoman family’s 2018.
January: In the final hours of the last day of 2017, December 31, Katia and I checked out of the pediatric hospital of Ancona, Salesi, (about eight hours after they had said they were going to let us go) with our new bundle of joy and third child, Michael. Though our older two are now pre-teens, the 3-hour cycle of changing a diaper followed by milking, burping, and laying down came back fairly quickly. Though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend having a child in your mid-forties, I will say that he has brought much joy into our family and none of us (especially the older ones) could imagine life without little Michael. |
Bret ThomanCatholic. Franciscan. Married. Father. Pilgrim guide. Writer. Translator. Pilot. Aspiring sailor. Archives
January 2023
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