Padre Pio's Words of Hope

One of my all-time favorite prayer books. I feel it can really help those who are trying to be more devotional and who may be 'stuck in the mind'. Padre Pio explains the reasons for each prayer and, then, a short prayer is said at the end of each page. I feel these prayers can really open the heart and Eileen Bertanzetti has done a wonderful job putting this together in a very user friendly format. These are words from a man who had a great amount of wisdom and compassion....following his prayers, with trust and patience, can lead you to inner peace and allow you to have a more positive effect on those around you.

There are 150 Pslams . . . there are 150 "Ave's" in the praying of the Rosary . . . and Eileen Dunn Bertanzetti has given us 150 quotes of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (now Saint Padre Pio) each accompanied by a Scripture quote and and a question or statement giving the passage a personal "context" . . . and a final prayer. The words of Padre pio are taken verbatim from his "Letters Vol. I, II, and III" . . . and tell us of a spiritual assurance of god's ever present concern for and love of each one of us. This is a small treasury of comfort and guidance and consolation which anyone can open even at random for a point of meditation or browse for a topic that speaks to a personal immediate need. When time perhaps prevents a lengthy time to peruse long spiritual passages for spiritual reading, we do not need to neglect meditation . . . a book such as this makes that much more accessible . . . and STILL gives us much spiritual food for thought and prayer. That was something that Padre Pio was gifted by God with: the ability to speak to souls in great depth with few words. . . As you read these, unhurried, one thought at a time . . perhaps one day at a time, you can sense the spirit of Padre Pio right there with you and speaking the words to you as you read them . . . we can't travel back in time nor go to the friary of San Giovanni Rotundo "Our Lady Of Grace", but we can still speak to Padre pio (in the communion of saints) and receive his assistance and guidance and help from heaven where he prays to God with us and for us. And we can hear his voice echo from the heavenly court in the words of his which appear in this text. Padre Pio was a miracle gift to our generation from God . . . read his words and you will encounter for yourself that gift.

This book contains single page meditations on a wide range of topics. Something worthwhile to think about.-from a person worth listening to.

I actually got this book by accident. When it first arrived it wasn't what I had expected. Once I began to look and read I discovered it was BETTER than what I had originally thought it would be. The outside back cover is quite explicit in summarizing what is inside. In the book, each page begans with a scripture quote. It is the next paragraph, the second that readers may want to read first. It is one of those paragraphs that will be the one to have our innermost feelings or thoughts that needs our attention on that day. ie. "Why should I praise God when so much has gone wrong in my life". It is then Padre St. Pio on the remainder of the page expresses his assurances of God's love for us and brings us hope by his revealation of God's own messages of encouragement, inspiration and blessing. The bottom of the page suggests a prayer we can use. This book has helped me pray in a way to experience the peace and help that God intends for us.

This book gives me hope, and comfort. Life is so very cold sometimes but even reading Padre Pio's first meditation can make you feel warm. We are not alone. Take comfort in his words and Believe them. May God Bless you.