Padre Pio Foundation of America

The Padre Pio Foundation of America was established in 1977 to promote devotion to Padre Pio and continue his legacy of love and caring for those who are less fortunate.

How the PPFOA began

In 1975, Marge Spada’s husband, Joe, was hospitalized with terminal cancer. Up to this time, Marge had never heard of Padre Pio. Then a friend gave her a book for Joe to read on the life of Padre Pio, the Capuchin priest who bore the stigmata, the crucifixion wounds of Christ. Joe read the book. He was so impressed that he began to pray to Padre Pio. Then unexpected things began to happen! On several occasions, when Joe’s nurses came into his room, they were overcome by the beautiful aroma of fresh flowers, but couldn’t understand where the aroma was coming from – there were no flowers in the room!

The Gift of Perfume: Pope John Paul II calls the aroma of Padre Pio “The aroma of sanctity.” This aroma to some people is the sweet smell of tobacco and to others, it is the aroma of fresh flowers. When one smells this aroma of Padre Pio, he is telling you he is with you. Joe told Marge frequently, Padre Pio would walk up and down the halls of the hospital with him! On one particular night, Marge arrived at the hospital. As she sat down beside Joe, he said, “Marge, Padre Pio was here just a short time ago, and he was sitting where you are sitting.”

As Joe was telling Marge of Padre Pio’s visit, her eyes fell on a handkerchief that she did not recognize. As she reached for it, Joe said, “That’s Padre Pio’s handkerchief. He put it there on the stand just before he left.” Padre Pio made many visits to Joe at the hospital, by aroma and through bilocation. Joe was not healed of cancer – but his last days were peaceful, living proof of Padre Pio’s promise to be with those who pray to him or call upon him for assistance. Padre Pio did not abandon Marge, either, in her time of need. After the funeral, although it was a frosty autumn day, visitors who arrived at her home said they could smell the aroma of fresh flowers outside surrounding her home. And Marge tells that on several occasions, Padre Pio’s handkerchief has given off the aroma of fresh flowers.

On Joe’s tombstone, Marge had carved, “Joe had a vision of Padre Pio.”

Marge’s love for Padre Pio and her desire to share him with everyone is why she founded The Padre Pio Foundation of America. To this day, Marge feels the presence of Padre Pio through the gift of perfume, and she knows that he is with her in her prayers. (Marge Spada went to her eternal home on Christmas Eve, 2011.  Her last days continued to be filled with spreading devotion to Padre Pio at the hospital.  She was a wonderful woman with so much energy and love for Padre Pio.  Her phone calls and visits to the PPFOA are very much missed.  Padre Pio said, “I will wait outside the gates of Heaven until all of my spiritual children are inside.” Surely, he was waiting there with a warm embrace for Marge along with her husband Joe. Rest in Peace Marge.)

What the PPFOA does

We do all we can to spread devotion to Padre Pio. The Foundation’s goal is been to spread devotion to our beloved Padre Pio by spreading his teachings and spirituality; keeping Pietrelcina a holy place of remembrance and preserving places near and dear to Padre Pio; aiding in priestly vocations and participating and promoting corporal and spiritual works of mercy in remembrance of Padre Pio.

La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza is considered by many as Padre Pio’s hospital. This hospital was Padre Pio’s dream, to help those who suffer. Uniquely, his dream has been sustained through donations and prayer. The PPFOA continues to help support the hospital.

Padre Pio’s hometown of Pietrelcina is a special place of remembrance as well. The PPFOA helps to maintain the parish church where Padre Pio celebrated his first Mass (and many more), Santa Maria degli Angeli, and Santa Anna, where Padre Pio was baptized, confirmed and consecrated to Jesus. Through our efforts, both churches have been restored but there is always more work to do.

Most importantly, we have had passed on to us, directly from Padre Pio, the urgent need to let people know that he will accept “all of America” (his words) as his Spiritual Children. Through his intercessions, people have experienced physical healing, renewed faith, conversion along with many other spiritual and temporal blessings.

The PPFOA has been involved in helping the friars in San Giovanni Rotondo for years. At the request of the Capuchin Friars, we helped them build Padre Pio’s New Church. Our part was the baptistery that was designed inside and outside of the church. After years of work, the new church opened on July 1, 2004.

We also continue to aid missionary priests in Mexico and other countries. Recently, we raised over $35,000 for Father David Beaumont, a Capuchin priest who has devoted his life to serving those who are truly most in need. The PPFOA learned of this truly special priest over 15 years ago. Since then we have followed him and what he has done for the people of these indigenous tribes over the years. Our benefactors have supported numerous special projects to help Father David and those he serves. We communicate often with him and hear stories about the environment he lives in. Some of these stories are shocking, terrifying and will move you to tears.

Everything we have is for God’s glory, His Church and in honor of Padre Pio as we keep alive his legacy of helping those in need. We pray each day that Padre Pio will intercede for all those who ask his help. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the PPFOA and remember: Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry!