June 16, 2012: ‘People who turned to Padre Pio were very different in culture, age
and social condition. For all of them he proved a true and holy "artist" in spiritual
guidance’ said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican’s Secretary of State on Saturday
while presiding over a Eucharist Celebration on the 10th anniversary of
the canonization of St. Pio, popularly known as Padre Pio. Cardinal Bertone said
that as a humble servant and instrument of God, Padre Pio worked in the vineyard of
the Lord and saw to it that others perceive in their lives, the call to serve Jesus,
each in their own state of life. On 16 June 2002, the Blessed John Paul II, during
the homily at the canonization of Padre Pio, commented that "life and mission of Padre
Pio prove that difficulties and sorrows, if accepted out of love, are transformed
into a privileged way of holiness, which opens onto the horizons of a greater good,
known only to God."
Citing the Gospel of Mathew, Cardinal Bertone said that
‘the little ones are those who accept Jesus, recognizing him in his weakness, and
are not scandalized by his cross. They do not speak according to human wisdom, but
speaks in their experience of God and His love.
Padre Pio was left by Christ
to live, so he could get in close and fruitful dialogue with him in prayer. So, he
became an expert in recognizing the inner inspiration of people, and became an educator
of those who sought his spiritual guidance, Cardinal Bertone added.