Down through the ages, Saints, Angels, and other Divine Beings of Healing and Light have been depicted with beatific visages, glowing halos, and wings to enfold and safeguard the humans to whom they are assigned. Sometimes, however, our heavenly protectors take more earthly, but no less inspired or efficacious forms. Such was the case with the young man named Joseph Santoro, an adolescent whose fascinating story and resultant promise compelled me to seek him out and hear this amazing tale from his own lips.
At the age of thirteen, Joseph, who hailed from a devout Catholic family, suffered from unexplained internal bleeding. In dire pain and with his life in peril, he was admitted to a hospital in his hometown of Queens, New York, where medical professionals conducted a comprehensive diagnosis to identify and stem the source of the bleeding. During his two-week hospital stay, Joseph was heavily medicated. After the testing procedures had been performed, and while the doctors awaited their laboratory analysis, Joseph lay in a hospital bed, praying fervently for a speedy cure. Sensing a silent but palpable presence, Joseph raised his eyes to find a strange, old man in a long brown robe standing beside his bed; he did not know or recognize this visitor.
Assuming at first that he was dreaming or perhaps having a vision, Joseph soon understood that his caller was real: the old man’s dark, piercing, and most arresting eyes were bracketed by strong, bushy eyebrows above and a grizzled beard below. With utter conviction, the old man made the Sign of the Cross and then vanished!
The next day, Joseph was discharged promptly from the hospital because the diagnostic tests revealed not a trace of bleeding! Overnight and without medical intervention, the boy was cured! Remembering the strange man and his message, and finding silence the better part of valor, Joseph never spoke of the odd, prophetic visit to anyone other than members of his immediate family. But soon, he would break his vow of silence.
On the following Sunday, Joseph and his grandmother went to church to give thanks for his rapid recovery during their weekly celebration of the Mass. One of the Sisters participating in the Mass spoke of a Capuchin Friar named Padre Pio, a man who had passed from this Earth. Known for his good, selfless works and his unshakeable faith, this Friar was said to have created, or facilitated, great miracles for those in need. The Sister also brought Padre Pio’s picture so that all members of the congregation could see the image of this humble and devout servant of the Lord. The moment that Joseph looked down at the picture, he found himself gazing into the very face of the man who had mysteriously and miraculously healed him! At that moment, Joseph made a pact in his heart. With the same fervor with which the Friar had assured the boy’s well-being, Joseph forged a promise to tell the world about his gift and the good Padre’s role in it.
Making good on that promise, Joseph Santoro, still aged thirteen, founded “The Padre Pio Mutual Aid Society” in Queens, New York; this occurred on May 1, 1997. Four short months later, Joseph Santoro’s organization, the first Italian-American society in America to honor Padre Pio, held the first Feast and Procession in the United States for the good Padre.
For those of you not born into the Italian-American heritage, it is extremely rare for our people to bestow such an honor upon one who has not yet attained Sainthood. During our feasts — happy, days-long affairs that blend tradition, recreation, wonderful food, and religion — statues of the saints are paraded through the streets so that all may honor and pray to those depicted. Often, devout followers give donations as well, to be used for various positive purposes, including the construction of shrines or the maintenance of churches that bear the names of the Saints. On September 23, 1997, the first Feast and Procession glorifying Padre Pio, who had not yet event reached the stage of Beatification (a prerequisite for Sainthood), marched through the streets of New York to the joy of the faithful. For every year that has followed, Padre Pio is honored by the faithful in the entire Tri-State area during the seven days of this Feast.
Joseph’s initial promise to his savior blossomed; he dreamed of one day erecting a permanent replica of Padre Pio somewhere in America, where all could visit and pay homage. Joseph has realized his dream. With funds donated by the faithful, there now stands within the National Centre for Padre Pio in Barto, Pennsylvania, a life-sized replica of the Sainted Friar’s body as it lies in its resting place in the crypt of the monastery of the Shrine of Holy Mary of Grace in San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy.
Joseph Santoro’s encounter with Padre Pio, and the faith that it engendered, became the cornerstone from which many groups and societies have sprung up, both on American shores and abroad; all exist for the purpose of honoring Padre Pio. A promise made is a debt unpaid. Joseph has repaid his debt to the good Padre, with interest that continues to gather and inspire the faithful worldwide.
If you are looking for some spiritual inspiration of your own and would like to learn more about the life of Padre Pio, we suggest that you visit these informative Internet sites:
and/or
http://stpadrepiosociety.wetpaint.com/
May God, and Padre Pio, bless you, protect you, and guide you on your life’s journey.
.
Great article on the impact of faith in our lives. Joseph Santoro’s faith healed him and his faith in his mission and those around him allowed him to fulfill and continue to make good on his promise.
Quite a bit of misinformation in this article.
So he had some pain? Who said it was internal bleeding? Your article conflicts with itself. It says he had internal bleeding yet diagnosis hadn’t been performed yet!
But even that is BS. Why? Just take a look on how internal bleeding is taken care of. Tests? Overnight tests? Sedate for tests? Hell no! He was sedated and patched up. Anybody who has had or knows internal bleeding, knows this story is complete BS.
Great article I have read some of the books written about Padre Pio who is now St Pio of Petrocina pronounced that way. He was a saint in our times he would listen to confessions sometimes 24 hours a day he lived his faith and he was an extrodinary man. He would say he suffered when he was not suffering. He totally understood that his suffering united to Christ would save souls and that was his mission was to save souls and do Gods will. We don’t understand that today in our society because we are told God does not want us to suffer but if you understand what sacrafices do to help the unscene more people would suffer silently, humbly. We are living in a time worst then any time in history because we do our will not Gods. We live our own faith that we make up (what we want to do) and not what our faith has taught us and so we will suffer because of the choices we make. We don’t go to church because we have never understood our faith or we say the church just wants money so we will become like Russia no churches because no one wants to support them as you see it happening now slowly one by one the churches are closing. Even the church I was raised in will be closing and no one notices until it is to late. God will bring us back thru the suffering and prayers of the saints that have come before us, like Padre Pio the man who loved much and suffered silently. Could you imagine having the wounds of Christ in your hands feet and side most of your adult life!! And he never said a word but except he didn’t want to be noticed. What a Heart what a man I wished I would have met him but I was just a child when he died but my daughter was born on his feast day! Thank you for the article and God Bless! Tina
I find I have great respect for this young man who made such a large promise and was able to follow through with it.
Many times when people are in crisis they pray to their various gods and make promises to him if only he will help with their current situation. If things are solved they seem to forget about all the promises they made and go on about their life.
Joseph really had faith and wanted to give something back for his miracle of life. Some people take their life to much for granted.If God so desires he can take it away.
Good story.
In answer to GMNightmare’s comment above, I believe that the internal bleeding was a symptom and they were attempting to diagnose its cause. Regarding sedation, I do not know the nature of the procedures performed and so, cannot say why the patient was sedated.
To GM Nightmare above, in the words of Jesus Christ, “There are none so blind as he who will not see.” I pity you for your lack of faith and will pray that your eyes be opened.
Peace.
Sorry to offend your intelligence, but after a phone interview with Mr. Santoro I wrote what he responde to my questions. Pf you think this article is BS I suggest you contact Mr. Santoro at http://stpadrepiosociety.wetpaint.com/
Amazing story. Joseph Santoro is an inspiration to me and all of us . Does Joseph still have a special connection with Padre Pio I would like candles light can Joseph light them for me?
How can I get to barto shrine? Does joseph live there? I want to meet him for a prayer. Betty
I know him and his story is not bull shit and to say that this story is “BS” just goes to show that you have no faith
I was at Joseph’s event on May 17th,2009 in Barto at the national centre for Padre Pio. The statue he had constructed is so amazingly lifelike and beautiful and is an exact replica of the beloved friars body in Italy. He even has real clothes and real hair its so lifelike. Joseph really did repay Padre Pio back because there was thousands there that day. You could see Josephs love for this saint because he was singing crying and dancing that day the whole day was very moving I hope this event happens again many people heard and want to go. This article is very inspiring nicely written and was this miracle ever investigated by the roman catholic church?
To Ralph and Betty: Visit the National Centre for Padre Pio for directions and intentions at http://padrepio.org/intro.asp thank you for your comments
To Henry: In my conversation with Joseph Santoro,I was told not to describe his encounter as a miracle. He called it a gift from Padre Pio which led to the promise.Whether his encounter with Padre Pio was investigated by the church I do not know.
Beautiful story, I am very touched by Josephs story and his personal encounter with the saint. We are in a world of hatred, despair, disloyalty, atheists and people who turned away from the church and religion. Many young people especially and we have to pray for their souls. Joseph is an inspiration to the young generation and their faith. I feel privilaged to know his remarkable story that was kept secret for so long. Joseph keep up the wonderful work you bring joy to people like me. You really did repay Padre Pio back keep it up – Frank
Good Article, To those who believe no explaination is needed and to those who do not believe no explaination is possible
This is a really touching and inspiring story. I am so happy for you Joey! You are doing great things in life– keep on going and GOD BLESS!
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God bless you Joseph may Padre Pio always keep you safe this is proof that the Saints DO intercede for us. Faith people…Faith. The article was written very beautifully.
Iggy thank you for showing me this site and this wonderful story . I got the goosebumps hearing this story. I had to read this myself. Does anyone know how to get in touch with Joseph? I would like to ask him a few questions since he seems to have a special connection with Padre Pio.
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