Padre Pio and the Veterans

Many of us know that Padre Pio had a very special relationship with the military and veterans of both World War I and World War II. Padre Pio himself and other three friars of his community were selected for military service. At that time, Padre Pio was a teacher at the seminary and a spiritual director. On 15 November 1915, he was drafted into the Italian Army and on 6 December assigned to the 10th Medical Corps in Naples. Due to poor health, he was continually discharged and recalled until on 16 March 1918 he was declared unfit for military service and discharged. In all, his military service lasted 182 days. He then entered the monastery at San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, never to leave until his death.

During his life Padre Pio received several veterans who visited him at the Monastery in San Giovanni Rotondo, and to each of them he gave medals of the Blessing Virgin Mary. Many of them were soldiers during the World War II that were stationed at nearby military bases. It is indeed thanks to these veterans that Padre Pio and his teachings were first brought to the U.S., and to them we give our thanks for helping to make the legacy of Padre Pio known to the faithful of our country.