Marie de Nazareth
To Jesus, through Mary
St. Pio of Pietrelcina bore the living and bleeding stigmata for fifty entire years, from 1918 to 1968. He became an "imprinted reproduction of the wounds of the Lord," according to the happy expression of Pope Paul VI[1]. In this exceptional mystical experience he were also assimilated to Mary. He wrote himself :
« Now I seem to be penetrating what was the martyrdom of our most beloved Mother (...). Oh, if all people would but penetrate this martyrdom! Who could succeed in suffering with this, yes, our dear Coredemptrix? Who would refuse her the good title of Queen of Martyrs?" [2]
[1] Paolo VI, Discorso, Feb. 20, 1971
[2] Padre Pio Epistolario, San Giovanni Rotondo, IT 1992, p.384