“Throw away your crutches”, another miracle of Padre Pio

"Throw away the crutches" miracle of Padre Pio: Another of the many miracles attributed to the intercession of St. Padre Pio was the one that was reported during the summer of 1919, of which news reached the general public and newspapers, despite the efforts of Father Benedetto and Father Paolino. This, witnessed by Father Paolino, concerned one of the most unfortunate people in San Giovanni Rotondo, an old mentally and physically handicapped man named Francesco Santarello. He was so pathetically limping that he was unable to walk. Instead, he crawled to his knees, supported by a pair of miniature crutches. The hapless little man worked up the hill every day to the convent monastery to beg for bread and soup, as he had done for years. Poor Santarello was a fixture in the community and everyone knew him.

One day Santarello had positioned himself, as usual, near the door of the cloister, begging for alms. As usual, a large crowd had gathered, waiting for Padre Pio to leave and enter the church. As Pio passed by, Santarello shouted: "Padre Pio, give me a blessing!" Without stopping, Pio looked at him and said: "Throw away your crutches!"

Stunned, Santarello didn't move. This time Father Pior stopped and yelled, “I said,“ Throw out your crutches! ”Then, without adding anything else, Pio went into the church to say mass.

"Throw away the crutches" Padre Pio's miracle: In front of dozens of people Santarello threw away his crutches and, for the first time in his life, he began to walk on his deformed feet to the great amazement of his fellow villagers, who a few minutes earlier they had seen him stagger, as always, on his knees .........

Prayer to Padre Pio (by Mons.Angelo Comastri) Padre Pio, you lived in the century of pride and you were humble. Padre Pio you passed among us in the era of the riches dreamed, played and adored: and you remained poor. Padre Pio, nobody heard the voice beside you: and you spoke with God; near you no one saw the light: and you saw God. Padre Pio, while we were panting, you remained on your knees and you saw the Love of God nailed to a wood, wounded in the hands, feet and heart: forever! Padre Pio, help us cry before the cross, help us believe before the Love, help us feel the Mass as a cry of God, help us to seek forgiveness as an embrace of peace, help us to be Christians with the wounds that shed blood of charity faithful and silent: like the wounds of God! Amen.