Today is September 23, the Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest.
We read at today’s Mass, “He was told, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.’ He said to them in reply, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it'” (Lk 8:21).
Among the saints Carlo Acutis admired most, Padre Pio held a special place in his heart. Like Carlo, Padre Pio lived with an acute awareness of the invisible reality of God’s presence, especially through the companionship of his guardian angel. From childhood, Padre Pio experienced his angel as a faithful guide along the path of holiness. He even urged others, “If you need help, send me your guardian angel.”
For Padre Pio, the nearness of the angel was not a pious idea but a lived experience. Letters tell of how his guardian angel helped him translate correspondence from people all over the world, from languages he had never studied. His spiritual director testified, “Padre Pio does not speak Greek or French. His guardian angel explains everything to him and he answers appropriately.”
Devotion to the angels
Carlo, captivated by the supernatural friendship Padre Pio enjoyed, also fostered a devotion to the angels. He knew that holiness means living with both feet on earth and one eye on heaven. Just as Padre Pio relied on his guardian angel’s companionship, Carlo trusted his angel to help him walk faithfully, avoid sin, and grow closer to Christ.
This devotion teaches us an important lesson: God has not left us alone in our struggle. From our birth to our death, he assigns a guardian angel to each of us: a spiritual companion who protects us, inspires us and intercedes for us. Carlo believed this with the simplicity of a child, and it gave him courage.
Let us pray,
Almighty ever-living God, who, by a singular grace, gave the Priest Saint Pius a share in the Cross of your Son and, by means of his ministry, renewed the wonders of your mercy, grant that through his intercession we may be united constantly to the sufferings of Christ, and so brought happily to the glory of the resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
*Unfortunately, we have had further technical issues with the video recordings of My Daily Visitor. Please enjoy the recovered audio for your daily prayer and reflection.
