PADRE PIO DAY,
MARCH 8TH, 2008

Padre Pio Day
by Silverstar Red Crow © 2006/2008


Padre Pio Day began 12 years ago in Carlton Oregon. I was unacquainted with Padre (now St. Pio), a 20th Century Italian Stigmatic until March 8th, 1996. I was gravely ill at the time. Now realize that I live in a world that is filled with Spirits; my space is shared space, so I am accustomed to seeing apparitions. This night was different, however. I heard a rustling on the front stoop, then the fumbling of metal and the turning of the doorknob of the main door to the apartment. Without fanfare and with little real motion, the front door opened and, as if floating on air, or more accurately, riding on a levitated platform, a severe man of undetermined age entered the room where I was seated. This Spirit Manifestation was fully realized in corporeal reality, as clear and solid as you or I. We had an intense silent dialogue, binding us together for all times, actually realizing a bond had always been. He helped me, healed me of profound disability and released me from years of torment, pain and immobility in an instant. Padre asked for little in exchange.

I am Shamanic Practitioner and am in the habit of asking the price for any exchange with the Spirit Realms. I call them Spirit Bargains and have written about the phenomenon, over the years. When I asked Padre what He wanted for healing me, He smiled a sly smile and said, “Don’t be so mean to people and wear more pink.” No ultimatums of changing religion, belief structure or worldview; simple, straightforward and a little silly, as far as the pink goes, I thought. Until, that is, Dragonfly and I traveled to San Giovanni Rotondo Italy in 2005, on pilgrimage. I promised Padre that I would visit His home one day and after many years, I was finally able to keep my word. I could not help smiling broadly when I entered the main room of the Basilica, for I was surrounded by pink marble. Pink, it turned out, was Padre’s favorite color; He was also fond of lavender, so an area for visiting dignitaries is painted lavender in Padre’s honor, to the right of the Main Altar. Pink finally made sense, so I admit to embracing it now with great fervor!

*Author’s Note: On the first anniversary of Padre Pio’s manifestation, I crafted pink Honor Bundles in His honor and gifted them to friends, family and international colleagues. I have continued this crafting tradition, making something pink in Padre’s honor each year, and look forward to doing so for decades to come! If you are lucky enough to receive one of these special Honor Bundles, do not open it. The Honor Bundle is meant to be hung over a door or window or displayed in an automobile for protection and love. Be respectful of the bundles, they contain sacred ingredients: American Indian Sacred Herbs, many grown in the Peace Garden, herbs and relics gathered on pilgrimage, spices, Celtic salt from Ireland, salt from France and hand-crafted oils.