The statue is a one-of-a-kind depiction of Padre Pio created to sit under a magnificent tree on the property in Howell, MI.
On September 7th, 1910, in the first year of his ministry, Padre Pio received the first stigmata while sitting beneath a magnificent tree in Piana Romana, Italy.
St. Pio shared the experience in a letter to his spiritual advisor,
“In the center of my hands, a red spot appeared, about the size of a coin, and with it, an intense pain in the soles of my feet.”
This pain in his hands and feet was the first occurrence of the stigmata, even though they were not visible at the time.
It was not until September 20, 1918, that Padre Pio received the visible stigmata after he celebrated morning Mass.
The statue is based on one of the few photos of St. Pio when he was younger.
Hosting this statue is to be a part of the history of the pilgrim site coming to Howell, MI.