PADRE PIO DID NOT HAVE A SISTER CALLED "PHILOMENA"

 

Contrary to many reports I've heard and seen from internet searches, Padre Pio did have a sister called "Philomena".  He had an older sister who perished as a baby, a few years before he was born, and she was named, "Amalia". Then he had three younger sisters, Felicita, Pellegrina and Graziella, who became a nun, and is pictured above.

Yes, Padre Pio did have a huge devotion to Philomena, even going so far as to name her the Princess of Heaven. 

1722 years ago today, on August 10th, St Philomena had her head sliced off because she refused to marry the Emperor Diocletian.