The Diary of Lucia Fiorentino

Mystic, Visionary, and Early Spiritual Daughter of Padre Pio

By: Lucia Fiorentino, Bret Thoman

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Lucia Fiorentino (1889–1934), was one of the earliest spiritual daughters of Padre Pio. Though she lived a mostly hidden life, she played a role in two of the most dramatic chapters in the life of Padre Pio. Years before Padre Pio arrived at her home town of San Giovanni Rotondo, she had a vision of a large tree planted near the Capuchin friary in San Giovanni. Then she heard a voice: “This is the symbol of a soul who is now far away but will come here. He will be strong and well-rooted like this tree and will cover the entire world with its umbrage.” Padre Pio arrived soon after, in 1916, and he soon became her spiritual director. At the end of her life, Lucia offered her suffering for Padre Pio to be freed from the persecutions he was enduring. Three months later, Padre Pio’s ministries were restored and he was allowed to continue his apostolate.

Lucia’s life was marked by profound suffering. The death of her younger brother, a seminarian, in 1902 was followed by the death of her mother from cancer three years later. A decade after that, another brother was killed in World War I. She herself endured severe physical illness and nearly died at sixteen. During this period, she felt a growing desire “to suffer for the love of God.” In prayer, she heard Christ ask: “From this moment on, offer yourself as a victim for reparations. Do you accept?” She did — and from that day forward consciously offered her sufferings, especially for priests and religious.

When Lucia first met Padre Pio in July 1916, she wrote, “All the doubts that reigned in my spirit were overcome by him.” Visiting the friary, she would arrive “full of fears and anxieties,” yet leave renewed. To her, Padre Pio was “healing medicine” and “an angel of a priest who brought health and refreshment to our bitter trials.”

In 1934, as Padre Pio endured severe ecclesiastical restrictions — forbidden to celebrate Mass publicly or hear confessions — Lucia became gravely ill. Sensing death was near, she asked that Padre Pio be told she had offered herself “in the cave of St. Michael” for his liberation. “My life is not worth as much as his,” she said. “He can do more good for souls than me.” She died on February 16 at the age of forty-four. Less than three months later, the restrictions imposed upon Padre Pio were lifted, and his ministry was restored.

Under obedience to her spiritual directors, Lucia kept a diary in which she recorded her mystical experiences, her conversations with Christ, and her encounters with Padre Pio during the turbulent early years of his apostolate. These pages offer rare insight into his method of spiritual direction and the hidden spiritual battles surrounding his mission. At the same time, they reveal the interior journey of a soul called to love through sacrifice.

Translated for the first time into English, The Diary of Lucia Fiorentino opens a window into a hidden life of prayer, suffering, and spiritual friendship. It speaks to all who seek meaning in their trials and who desire to live more fully united to Christ.

(A portion of the proceeds from this book supports the Capuchin Province of Foggia and the ministry of Padre Pio.)

Excellent

Excellent counsel from Jesus to Lucia. The voice was really smooth and well paced. I will definitely be listening to it a 2nd time.

Inspiring!

A very extremely inspiring diary will listen to it again. The narration was very good. I don’t think you would know that it was computer generated.