Padre Pio has a close connection with Philadelphia because of a woman called in a prayer to bring her sick child to see him in 1968 and the blessing he granted that led to her miracle cure just a few weeks before he died.
The woman, Mrs. Vera Calandra of Norristown, Pennsylvania, brought her daughter, Vera Marie, to meet the friar in Italy, where he placed his wounded hands on the child and caused the miracle the Vatican would later use to confirm Padre Pio as a saint.
The family raised money and helped to build a shrine in honor of the man in Barto, PA. I visited there and watched a film narrated by Robert Stack of television’s black and white presentation of “The Untouchables.” The movie told the history of the Calandra family and how the child’s blessing lead to the miracle that doctors at CHOP, the Children’s’ Hospital of Philadelphia, could not explain in medical terms.
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Vera Marie was born in 1966 with congenital defects of the kidneys and urinary tract, according to medical records. After two years and several operations, her doctors told her mother that the child was not going to live.
Mrs. Calandra prayed to Padre Pio and one day she experienced the fragrance of fresh roses and then heard his voice telling her to bring Vera Marie to Italy to visit. On September 1, 1968, Vera and her ill daughter arrived at Padre Pio’s church where he blessed her.
The doctors had removed Vera Marie’s bladder during one of the many operations she had undergone prior to her pilgrimage to Padre Pio. Their discovery upon her return was a “rudimentary bladder” growing in place of the one they had removed.
In other words, it was a miracle!
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It couldn’t have come at any better time because the holy man died on September 23, 1968, just three weeks after his blessing.
Padre Pio statue at the shrine in Barto, PA
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I remember making my way to the cathedral-like shrine off Route 100, just north of Bey’s Crystal Shop. After saying prayers and marveling at the beautiful statues adorned in the building. I particularly liked those depicting St. Michael the Archangel who was Padre Pio’s favorite. I visited the museum where there are enlarged photos of the friar as well as one of the beds that he had slept in.
They even had a replica of an Italian Fiat roadster the sainted man sat in while being escorted from his home to bless those patients in a nearby hospital.
It was in the gift shop, however, that I received my most blessed surprise. A woman in her early 40s was waiting on a customer. She was pointed out to me by someone who knew her.
It was Vera Marie in full blossom helping pilgrims like myself to commemorate our visit to such a site. Her miracle was one of two the Vatican used when it cannonized Padre Pio making him a saint.
She laughed when she saw me kneeling and asked me to rise while giving me a big hug, one of which I will always cherish and remember.
How often can one say they actually embraced a miracle baby?
Contoveros 
I reposted this blog on the birthday of Padre Pio on May 25, 2023 at my Facebook site. The following comments were exchanged:
Rose DeLone
I often go to the Padre Pio sanctuary and light a candle or two.
Michael J Contos
It’s a blessing to have the shrine available to the public.
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Terri Kiral
I don’t live far from the Padre Pio shrine on Route 100. The last time I went to visit (it’s been quite a few years) the glove he wore to cover his stigmata was on a traveling exhibit. It was enclosed in glass of course, but I got to hold it to my heart. A memorable experience, but alas, no miracle.
Michael J Contos
Yes, one of the gloves that he used to cover the Stigmata. What a story and what an experience for all of us who have had a chance to touch it within the glass enclosure.
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Terri Kiral I touched that glass-covered glove once, a few years ago. A good friend of mine’s brother was dying and when I told the lady in the gift shop she went and got it for me to pray over. It was quite a spiritual experience.
Michael J Contos
So many experiences, so many memories, so much inspiration from one individual is truly amazing in a world that needs to know more of the mystical side of life!
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Frances Eberwine Holod
MY SISTER PEG WAS JUST THERE ON SUNDAY THE 21ST OF MAY..I HAVE BEEN THERE MANY TIMES.
Michael J Contos
What a coincidence.
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DianaMaria Soulshine
I need to visit again.. I wonder if Vera Marie still works there. Wonderful story thank you
Michael J Contos
It would be interesting to find out and pleasure for you and all of us who have visited to take part in another journey to that shrine we have all come to love so much!
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Martha Bush
thank you for sharing
Michael J Contos
Believe me, it has been my pleasure to see such a response to such mystical moments in people’s lives and how one holy person can help others through their internal connections.
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Amy Nora Doyle MacLeod
What an incredible story, Michael. Synchronicity! An affirmation of your heart and soul being touched…? Yes, I love stories like this.
Michael J Contos
It is so much fun to be able to share a story like this kind of like in the spur of the moment.
I had no plans to resurrect my blog post from five years ago until I casually noticed that it was the birthday of the saint. I look at birthdays every day and I felt an urge to present my encounter almost immediately.
I never knew so many people had such a connection to this mystical man.
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Stephen Koelsch
Well, my friend… aren’t we all miracles?!
Michael J Contos
You got a good point there!
Miracles to those who can see . . .
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Jacquelyn Smith
Thank You for sharing Mike.
Michael J Contos
My pleasure. I wrote the original blog post some five years ago and simply wanted to share it again on his birthday.
Ruth Massanova
I was at one a number of years ago but I can’t remember where it was. It seems like it was out in the country area past No. Wales. Is this outside Phila?
Michael J Contos
Barto is north of Pottstown and well south of Allentown. You have to travel on Route 100 from the south and then a left at an old sign announcing the shrine.
It’s at 111 Barto Road, Barto 10504.
It’s called the National Center for Padre Pio!
Ruth Massanova
Now that you tell me, yes that is where it was my sister was just getting over cancer and we went there. She did survive about 3 years after the visit. Thanks for the info.
Martha Bush
Michael J Contos what a great trip to make!
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Vivienne Tuffnell
I have relic (third class) of Padre Pio, and a little statue as well.
Michael J Contos
That man has touched the heart and soul of so many people all over the world. I am amazed at the response his birthday announcement has generated!
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Bill Benedict
Been there a few times. I live around the corner from the Shrine.
Michael J Contos
Lucky dog. Good old Barto.
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Jack Wilson
Hey Mike, St Pio saved me in a car accident 10 years ago or so. I was reading his book prior to the accident and the passenger in my car. I told him I was doing him a favor and I told him don’t worry I’m reading a book on Saint Padre Pio and his Montrose – Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry -.
I’m driving them back to my apartment building. We both said “pray hope and don’t worry” and we got T-boned and when I woke up in the hospital, my nurse doctor name was Ave Maria. To make a long story short, I lost a lawsuit and all my earthly possessions and on his birthday two years later, the bank gave me back a house. It was 280 grand on it and I sold it. They get rolling again studying to Divine Will in Luisa Piccarreta for five years. Have a good night.
Michael J Contos
Helluva story with lots of mystical stuff I’m there. Hope all is still all right. I’ll be checking Luisa Piccarreta, the Italian mystic, soon. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Kathy Gillen Stradling
Visit often… we’re only 30 minutes away.
Michael J Contos
I will have to past this on to my son Nick!
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Beautiful
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Michael, Michael – this is one more thing we have in common – I belong to a Writers’ Group in Telford through the library. I have experienced a blossoming through writing. I love the theme from this article, as I did not have that opportunity to hope when my son was alive, and heavily empathize with a mother desperately trying to find hope for their child. (One of the reasons some of my bequests will go to St. Jude’s Hospital.) I do believe in miracles and talents that God gives to us to give hope and peace to others.
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I would love to read something you might have written as long as it is not too X-rated!
Ah hell. I’ll read that too . . .
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Isn’t it great to mix spiritual stuff with a little humor? We have so much inside that it would be a shame to not let the kid in us out to joke and have fun while still honoring the Almighty!
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Here are the comments this post generated on Facebook:
Bill Benedict
My man pots and pans. Great article Mike.
Contoveros
Thanks to my Brewerytown friend. I haven’t heard that expression “My man, pots, and pans” for a long time and it always takes me back to the 60’s . . .
Very spiritual bro!
Diane Whitmore
Good article, Mike. My son, Kerry, worked at the Centre in Barto for 12 years, as their communications assistant. He has a close connection to Padre Pio, and just loves the Calandra family.
Contoveros
He was very fortunate and must have a lot of stories to tell.
Thank you kindly!
Rose DeLone
I have been there several times. It is beautiful.
Contoveros
Someday I hope that we’ll read about your visits. Good to hear from you my writing friend!
Terri Kiral
Just a few miles from me. Wonderful place. A must visit. I got to press his glove against my chest.
Contoveros
It is a holy place and filled with lots of good spirits.
Sharon Sabrarose Ivanov
Yay, for PA!
TX for sharing this great story! OX
Contoveros
Thank you, my mystical friend. I hope things are improving and that we’ll see you at the monthly share.
Luba Schmid
How wonderful!
Contoveros
You should check it out sometime. It’s worth the trip from Philly!
Rose DeLone
I often light candles in the little outside sanctuary for my friends/family who need healing. They even brought out Padre Pio’s glove once for a very sick friend of mine.
Bob Palumbo
Bob Palumbo
What a great experience sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. A visit seems to be in my future
Contoveros
It will be a memorable experience particularly if you can hook up with a group or attend one of the events held there so that you can see one of the gloves he used to cover his hands . . .
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The following friends clicked the “like” button at Facebook and are now guaranteed to get into heaven:
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Although not since 2016, I have visited this shrine many times and did not know that Vera Marie worked there. Thank you for this!
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It was a great surprise. And it occurred on my first visit.
I have returned many times before and have enjoyed the enlightening experience each time!
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You have reminded me of this peaceful setting and I would like to go there again soon. 🙂
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Maybe I’ll see you there!
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That would be nice! 🙂
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Hi Michael,
I have been keeping up with you through your posts.
I remember fondly meeting you and chatting at the Centre for Padre Pio
Nice to see that you return, as I do, to that peaceful place.
Gloria P.
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Great to hear from you, Gloria. I remember the times we would meet at the shrine and the sharing we were able to provide our spirits.
It is a sacred place, one filled with goodness and all that is right with the world around us and within us. Some would even call that miraculous.
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