Carry the Cross with Padre Pio: Daily Reflections for Lent

In this Lenten devotional, let Padre Pio guide you through the profound mysteries of the faith, sharing his unique “way of the Cross” as a spiritual father, warrior, and beloved son of God.

Susan De Bartoli, author of the bestselling Advent devotional Welcoming the Christ Child with Padre Pio, invites you on a transformative Lenten journey with her new book, Carry the Cross with Padre Pio. Through carefully selected excerpts from Pio’s letters, you will follow in the footsteps of this holy Capuchin monk who spent fifty years carrying his cross and mirroring Christ’s Passion.

Journey from the dust of Ash Wednesday to the glories of Easter, witnessing both the sufferings Pio endured and the graces he received. Discover how he embraced each day as a “little Lent,” drawing closer to holiness by uniting his sufferings and sacrifices with Christ.

Through the six weeks of Lent, you will accompany Pio through the significant spiritual moments of his life, including these:

• His childhood experiences that led him to consecrate himself to Jesus and Mary
• His teenage calling that erupted into a flame of intense, lifelong love
• His mystical gifts—including the stigmata—and purposeful suffering
• His spiritual battles against the powers of evil
• His “mystical touches” that consoled him and enabled him to persevere
• His devotion of Christ’s Passion and his intent to offer himself for souls

 

Each week begins with a Marian-themed reflection followed by four days that explore aspects of Pio’s supernatural gifts and challenges. Each week concludes with a story about his encounter with a consoling angel.

Before you begin your Lenten journey with Padre Pio, De Bartoli encourages you to consider what cross the Lord is asking you to carry for love of him as you journey toward Easter. Without suffering, there can be no healing, no redemption. Take a moment now to thank the Lord for the journey of love ahead as we walk together toward the glories of Easter.

Susan De Bartoli is the author of the award-winning Welcoming the Christ Child with Padre Pio and Welcoming the Holy Spirit with Padre Pio, as well as Carry the Cross with Padre Pio. She serves as the secretary of the Board of Directors of the Padre Pio Foundation of America and owns Little Flower Pilgrimages.

De Bartoli has been a guest on various radio and television shows and podcasts, including Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, Seize the Day with Gus Lloyd, EWTN’s Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo, and Catholic Faith Network’s CFN Live.

She is a lady commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

De Bartoli lives in the New York area.

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is archbishop of New York.