"BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED RESEARCH, COHERENT STRUCTURE, FLUID PROSE"

I am so grateful for this gorgeously written review, included below. Most especially, I am glad that the reader showed their gratitude that I printed a picture of Padre Pio's early life which informed his priesthood.

"Mary O’Regan brings a systematic synthesis to sources about St. Padre Pio’s life that are out there—and some it seems that are not because her research is so thorough—but are often presented scattershot.

The book begins with chapters on his early family life. At first, I thought I want to read about Padre Pio. Now having finished the book, I see that chronicling this early period of his life makes the presentation of Padre Pio’s priestly life that much more three-dimensional and full color.

O’Regan also chronicles the Church politics and internecine social conflicts that became crosses for St. Padre Pio. She shows that he carried these with as much love, devotion, and sweetness as the more spectacular stigmata he bore for 50 years. This is important because no one expects to bear the stigmata of our Lord, but everyone runs into bullies and bureaucrats and occasional insanely jealous or narcissistic rivals.

The spiritual advice and counsel that St. Padre Pio gave others is thus rendered by this book more accessible and practical. “Pray, hope, and don’t worry” for instance can be from the wrong mouth an instance of shame. One might be tempted to ask, “I am praying, I am hoping, but how do I stop worrying?” Seeing how Padre Pio managed this by God’s grace despite the challenges of Church men, doctors, and even his own devotees, goes a long way toward making this advice helpful rather than burdensome.

O’Regan has beautifully wedded meticulous research, a passion for her subject, coherent narrative structure, and fluid prose."