The Healing Journey

December 21, 2025

The following is an excerpt from an account by Kathy, owner of St. Anthony’s Book & Gift Shop at 461 Derby Avenue in Orange.

It was December 21, 2023. Christmas was just days away, and I’d been running myself ragged with store orders and Christmas preparations. It was a Thursday evening, and my helper Kyle was on the schedule until 6 pm. Around 5:30, Kyle answered a phone call, asking me if I would be here later to accommodate two regular customers who close their store at the same time as me. I told Kyle to tell them to come, that I had a million things to do before I closed!

Shortly after my customers arrived, I was helping them at a cabinet full of Blessed Mother Statues. I opened the cabinet, so that they could look at different items. While they were going over their options, in my usual hurried fashion, I turned the corner, glanced over and saw Padre Pio standing facing me. I took two more steps and stopped dead in my tracks, covered in goose bumps. In my mind I was like, why is a life-size Padre Pio statue standing in the middle of the aisle? Then, I realized I don’t have a life-sized Padre Pio Statue. Why is Padre Pio standing there?

Upon stepping back to get another look, Padre Pio was gone, as fast as he had appeared. It was like he vanished right in front of me. And that’s when I realized, this was not a statue, that it was a full image of Padre Pio. I looked up at the clock and it read 7:20 pm and I was utterly baffled and covered in goose bumps. I stood there for a few minutes just looking at the clock, and then to the floor where St. Pio appeared moments before. I was thinking this is something that I have to write about and share. I approached the customers who were looking in the Blessed Mother cabinet. I began the conversation with “You are not going to believe this, but Padre Pio just appeared here.” As I told them that I had just seen Padre Pio in my store, this couple could not contain their amazement and excitement; the wife was teary eyed as she covered her mouth in amazement. It was so special to share this moment with them….

Prior to opening the store, I shared with Kyle what had happened the night before. He insisted this be written down, to never forget this moment, and share it with whoever needed to hear it. When we opened the door the first customer that came in was looking for Padre Pio stuff, we looked at each other with a grin, Padre Pio is in the house! Since the day Padre Pio made his visit, I’ve been asked for Padre Pio statues and books about him more than ever, even when the customers have no idea that he appeared here.

I’ve been telling my story as I’ve had the chance. One of the priests who came to my store even bought a beautiful Padre Pio statue for his church, and more priests have been coming to the store. It’s been such a blessing.

(For more information, www.stanthonygift.com)

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