Padre Pio and the mystical dialogue with the guardian angel
Testimonies from the letters of Padre Pio on his relationship with the guardian angel, the transverberation, and spiritual advice.
"Saint Padre Pio is the only one, along with Saint Gemma Galgani, who in the 20th century spent his whole life chatting not only with his own guardian angel, but also with those of others.
He often said to his spiritual children: 'If you need me, send me your guardian angel'."
Letter to Father Benedetto (August 21, 1918): The Transverberation
(On the evening of August 5th, while confessing the boys, he was wounded by a figure, with a long blade whose tip was made of iron)
"...I am not able to tell you what happened in this period of superlative martyrdom.
I was confessing our boys on the evening of the fifth, when all of a sudden I was filled with extreme terror at the sight of a celestial figure who presented himself before the eye of my intelligence. He held in his hand a kind of tool, similar to a very long iron blade with a well-sharpened point, and it seemed that fire came out of that point.
Seeing all this and observing the said figure hurl the aforementioned tool into my soul with all violence, was all one thing. I barely uttered a groan, I felt I was dying. I told the boy to withdraw, because I felt unwell and no longer felt the strength to continue.
This martyrdom lasted, without interruption, until the morning of the seventh. What I suffered in this most mournful period I cannot tell. I even saw my entrails being torn and stretched behind that tool, and everything was put to iron and fire.
From that day on I have been wounded to death. I feel in the innermost part of my soul a wound that is always open, which makes me languish assiduously...".
Letter to Father Agostino (January 18, 1913): The Angel's Comfort
(Padre Pio complains to the guardian angel after a violent diabolical attack)
"...I complained about this to the little angel, and he, after giving me a nice little sermon, added: 'Thank Jesus who treats you as one of the elect to follow Him closely up the steep path of Calvary; I see, soul entrusted to my care by Jesus, with joy and emotion of my inner self, this conduct of Jesus towards you.
Do you perhaps think I would be so happy if I did not see you so battered? I, who in holy charity greatly desire your advantage, rejoice ever more in seeing you in this state. Jesus allows these demonic assaults, because His mercy makes you dear to Him and He wants you to resemble Him in the anguish of the desert, the garden, and the cross.
Defend yourself, always drive away and despise the malignant insinuations, and where your strength cannot reach, do not afflict yourself, delight of my heart, I am close to you'. What condescension, my father! What have I ever done to deserve such exquisite loving-kindness from my little angel?...".
Letter to Raffaelina Cerase (April 20, 1915): Entrustment to the Guardian Angel
(Padre Pio urges Raffaelina to entrust herself to the guardian angel)
"...Adopt the beautiful habit of always thinking of him. By our side there is a celestial spirit who, from the cradle to the grave, does not abandon us for even an instant, who guides us, protects us like a friend, like a brother, and who always consoles us, especially in the hours that are, for us, the saddest.
Know, Raffaelina, that this good angel prays for you; he offers to God all the good works you do, your most holy and pure desires. In the hours when you feel alone and abandoned, do not complain about not having a friend to whom to open your heart and confide your sorrows: for charity's sake, do not forget this invisible companion, always present to listen to you, always ready to console you. Oh, delightful intimacy! Oh, happy company...".