Padre Pio Myths

Over the years I have heard several people say that St. Padre Pio was opposed to the changes of Vatican II & esp the Novus Ordo Mass. The biggest problem I have with that last 1 is the fact that the Novus Ordo wasn't promulgated until 1970 & Padre Pio died in 1968. It is true that he did continue to say the Mass in Latin (1962 Sacramentary). But that was under the exception granted to older priests. However, that doesn't mean he was opposed to all the changes.

I just finished watching a program on EWTN that had as its centerpiece, Padre Pio's last Mass. It was a High Mass, with deacons etc. & I saw 2 things in particular that were of interest.

1. He said the Mass pro-populo (facing the people). Here is a video of that Mass. It starts when he approaches the altar for the Offertory & includes the Consecration.

2. 2 young girls received 1st Holy Communion at that Mass. The received it standing up at the altar. This may be simply because of his having to sit due to the stigmata in his feet.

Padre Pio did have a special dispensation from the Vatican to say the Mass sitting down due to his health & the stigmata. As I mentioned earlier, he also had the dispensation granted to older priests to continue to say the 1962 Mass in Latin rather than the 1965 (approximate) translation of it into Italiano.

Yes, there were many abuses done in the name of Vatican II. But that doesn't invalidate the true changes required, or allowed by Vatican II. I also find it ironic that many of those opposed to the post-Vatican II changes refuse to demand all changes since the initial 1570 edition be dropped also. I have also noticed that most of these same people almost deify the so-called "Tridentine Mass". They make it sound like that is the only valid way of saying Mass ignoring (& denegrating) all the Eastern Liturgies that are older & just as valid.

But, that bit of logic seems to escape them.

Padre Pio was a loyal & obedient son of the Church. That is certain. Beyond that, for anyone to speculate on his views of Vatican II without definite proof is to do him & the Catholic Church a disservice.

(1 of the ironies I found in looking for videos of Padre Pio on You Tube was that 1 of the channels that had video of this last Mass tries to use it to prove Padre Pio was opposed to Vatican II. They proclaim the very myths this video belies. They ignore the fact that his back was to the High Altar. & they repeat the myth about his refusing to say the Mass in the Novus Ordo.)