Close encounters of a special kind with Padre Pio:
The Souls in Purgatory, The Guardian Angel, the devil.
Everybody who met Padre Pio seemed convinced that he had a direct connection with the afterlife,
and asked about a dead relative or friend. It was fascinating there was always an answer.
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Gerardo De Caro had long conversations with Padre Pio in 1943. In his written notes he testifies:
"Padre Pio had an exact knowledge of the state of a soul after death, including the duration of the pain until reached total purification."
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“More souls of the dead from Purgatory than of the living climb this mountain to attend my Masses and seek my prayers.”
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"The souls in Purgatory pray for us, and their prayers are even more effective than ours,
because they are accompanied by their suffering.
So, let's pray for them, and let's pray them to pray for us."
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"You will be surprised to find in Paradise souls you never expected to be there."
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"Most of the saved pass through Purgatory before arriving at the fullness of beatitude."
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Dec. 30, 1937 Padre Pio was praying in the choir with the other friars. Suddenly he said: "Let's pray for our Provincial Father
Padre Bernardo Apicella who is in agony." Noboby knew that he was sick. The day after they were told that he had suddenly died.