Feast Day: St. Pio of Pietrelcina

St. Pio -- 1887-1968

canonized June 2002 by Servant of God, John Paul the Great

This man has always fascinated me ... look at those eyes in the official canonization portrait. Padre Pio, born in a small town in Italy named Pietrelcina, is a 20th century Saint who just exuded love of his fellow man. You can see it in his eyes. The eyes that looked on the world through a veil of sickness, sorrow and stunning pain .... the eyes that looked on sinners with love and compassion .... the eyes that continue to watch over us from his heavenly abode.

We love Padre Pio around here ... we never met him ... we're not Italian ... but his sanctity transcends all these things. His name means "piety" and he helps us to remember that in the face of adversity (whether physical, mental or social) we MUST continue to seek for God ... and He will get us through.

Tonight we will have ravioli, Italian salad and "traditional" biscotti (ok, I threw in a few chocolate chips for one batch; but I'm sure Padre Pio would understand ;-p -- I've added the recipe below in case you too would like to try these lovely cookies); then after evening prayers, we'll sit down as a family and watch, Padre Pio: Miracle Man, a movie we watch at least once a year (and sometimes more than that).

Today, I ask especially that my readers pray for a good friend of mine who is struggling mightily today to keep her baby in her womb as long as possible (the new one's official due date is December 8th -- Feast of the Immaculate Conception) ... please pray to St. Pio, St. Anne, St. Gianna and all the other saints for the health of this mom and her baby.

Padre Pio, Pray for us!

Recipe for "Traditional Biscotti"

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1-1/2 cups whole, unblanched almonds
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon. Add almonds.
• In another small bowl, whisk together the eggs and vanilla, then add the melted butter; stir till well combined.
• Fold egg mixture into the dry ingredient mixture. Stir until dough is stiff.
• Turn out dough onto a floured surface and split in two. Add optional 1/2 to 1 cup of chocolate chips to one of the halves.
• Roll each piece into a log around the same length as your baking sheet. Place the logs on the baking sheet and flatten slightly. Make sure to leave plenty of room between them.
• Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, and let cool.
• When cooled to the touch, slice each log into slices diagonally.
• Place (cut side down) on the baking sheet. Bake for another 15-20 minutes at 350, until crispy.