Honestly, one of the holiest men I've ever had the honor to meet was this saint and this photo was taken just the moment before we shook hands last autum in the restort town of Imperia, on the Ligurian Sea.
Meet Padre Stefano Maria Manelli, born in 1933. In 1970 he founded the Franciscans of the Immaculate. This is a man who knew Padre Pio and enjoyed him as a spiritual father. Padre Pio, as a famous stigmatist, often prayed for Padre Stefano and gave him advice. In fact, they were friends and Padre Stefano's parents knew Padre Pio, too. These same parents (a saintly couple), gave birth to twenty-one children and Padre Stefano is one of those blessed souls.
3 comments:
Franciscans of the Immaculate are great! One of the great communities of today that get little press. What a super example.
SANCTVS!
Thanks for posting. got a chance to meet Padre Manelli when he visited The Philippines. got a few books signed and a blessing received.
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