St. Padre Pio Story

Mrs. Maria, one of Padre Pio’s spiritual daughters, said that one evening her brother was praying when suddenly he fell asleep. He was immediately awoken by a slap on his right check. He realized that the hand which hit him was covered with a half glove. He suddenly thought of Padre Pio. The next day he asked Padre Pio if he had slapped him. Padre Pio answered; “THAT is the way to cast away sleeping while praying!!” With a slap Padre Pio had “awakened” the attention of the praying man.

Sometimes we literally need to slap ourselves to stay awake, re-focus and carry on the work of Faith and love, in prayer! We need to be tough with ourselves! We WILL have to give an account someday. Take Jesus’ word to heart, ‘What I say to you, I say to all: Stay awake!’