Pray, Hope, and

Dont Worry
Padre Pio Newsletter Issue 40

www.saintpio.org

Editors: Diane and Deacon Ron Allen

An Interview with Mario Bruschi

for the Pray, Hope, and Dont Worry Newsletter

In the summer of 1957, Mario Bruschi and his mother

Adele, traveled from their home in New York City to the town
of Ponte Strambo, in northern Italy, to visit relatives. Marios
mother had just read a biography of Padre Pio which she had
enjoyed immensely. She shared some of the details of Padre
Pios life with Mario. She decided that she wanted to travel to
San Giovanni Rotondo to attend Padre Pios Mass and she
asked Mario to accompany her. But to twenty-three year old
Mario, the prospect did not sound very interesting. He was
having a great time in Ponte Strambo, meeting new friends
and going dancing at the local night clubs in the area. At that
time in his life, his Catholic faith meant very little to him. To his
mind, he had a lot more interesting things to do rather than
to go to a monastery to see an elderly friar. He declined his
mothers invitation.
However, Marios aunt Rina spoke to him about Adeles
plan and convinced him otherwise. Your mother should not
make the trip alone, his aunt said. It will be much safer if
you go with her. Mario realized the truth of his aunts words
and decided to accompany his mother. He thought that they
would probably spend one day at Padre Pios monastery and
then be on their way home. He wanted to spend as much of
the summer as he could with his new found friends in Ponte
Strambo.
Mario was irritated with his mother for not telling him until
after they boarded the train that it would be at least a twelvehour trip to get to San Giovanni Rotondo. When they finally
arrived at the monastery of Our Lady of Grace, the first order
of business was to get a ticket for Padre Pios confessional.
Adele was informed that she would have to wait ten days
for her number to be called. The thought of being stuck in
San Giovanni Rotondo for ten long days was hard for Mario
to accept. There was the monastery and the church and
practically nothing else in the area. Adele encouraged Mario
to get a ticket for the confessional and told him that she was
sure he would not regret it. It would be a wonderful opportunity.
Reluctantly, he asked for a ticket from the Capuchin in the
booking office.
As the days passed, Mario and Adele became accustomed
to the daily routine at Padre Pios monastery. Everything
revolved around the small 16th century church of Our Lady
of Grace. Almost all of the visitors to San Giovanni Rotondo
spent their days in the church because that was where they

could find Padre Pio. Mario and his mother were surprised
to find that the people in the church were often noisy and
rude. The Capuchins would frequently stand at the front of
the church and order everyone to stop talking. Silencio!
they would repeat, but no one paid any attention to them.
However, when Padre Pio called for order in the church,
everyone stopped talking at once.
Mario and his mother attended Padre Pios early morning
Mass which began at 5:00 a.m. For the pilgrims, it was the
highlight of the entire day. For Mario, it was a test of patience.
It was the longest weekday Mass that Mario had ever attended
in his life. Padre Pio became deeply absorbed in prayer during
the Holy Sacrifice, hence the long and extended periods of
silence. Mario found himself becoming annoyed with the
time it took for Padre Pio to say the Mass. To him, it seemed
excessive.

Because the little church was too small to accommodate

the crowds and because of the summer heat, the Mass was
held in an outdoor arcade. Mario attended the Mass each
morning with his mother. He made sure to avoid making eye
contact with Padre Pio during the Mass. Having heard that
Padre Pio had the gift of reading hearts, the thought of direct
eye contact with him made Mario feel uncomfortable.
It was the custom for the Capuchins to invite the pilgrims
who had traveled from a distance to serve at Padre Pios Mass.
Mario was asked if he would like to be the altar server but he
declined the invitation. Kneeling on the hard stone by the altar
for such an extended period of time was not something that
he wanted to attempt.
However, as the days passed, the annoyance that Mario
had initially felt during the Mass vanished and instead, he
began to feel greatly uplifted. The Mass was still long but for
some reason, the time seemed to pass quickly. Mario watched
Padre Pios movements closely. Sometimes Padre Pios eyes
would twitch. At times, he would stare upwards in a fixed spot
and remain completely motionless. Tears would fall freely from
his eyes. He seemed to be seeing something that no one else
present could see. His deep communion with God was so
apparent.
After the Mass, people stood along the corridors and in the
hallways, hoping to catch a glimpse of Padre Pio as he passed
by. At noon, the Angelus was recited. Daily, Padre Pio blessed
religious articles, and on occasion he also blessed automobiles
and sometimes even animals. Mario and his mother attended
the afternoon Rosary followed by the Benediction service at
which Padre Pio presided. In the evening, the pilgrims made
their way to an open field outside the monastery. With lighted
candles, they prayed the Rosary and waited for Padre Pio to
come to the little window of his cell. He would then open the
shutters and wave a handkerchief and say goodnight to the
pilgrims. They all waved back in turn and often called out to
him, Padre Pio, pray for my family. Padre Pio, pray for my
intentions. Goodnight, Padre Pio. We love you!
Every day was just like the previous one for Padre Pio. His
world revolved around the altar, the confessional, the choir
loft, the monastery garden, and his solitary cell. Once in a
while there was a special ceremony in the church, a baptism,
a wedding or an anniversary celebration.
One afternoon, Mario walked into the monastery church
of Our Lady of Grace while a wedding was in progress.
Padre Pio happened to be the celebrant that day. Mario
had his camera with him at the time and was happy for the
opportunity to take some photos. Padre Pio noticed that Mario
was taking pictures and motioned for one of the Capuchins
to speak to him. He was informed that he was not allowed
to take photographs inside the church, so he quickly put his
camera away. He was happy that he had been able to take
about seven pictures before he was advised to stop. When
he went to get the film developed, all of the pictures came out
blank. He asked the film developer for an explanation since he
had used brand-new film. He told Mario that he could find no
reason for the malfunction. Later, Mario learned that it was not
unusual for photos to come out blank on the occasions when
Padre Pio did not want to be photographed.
Page 2

Another time, Mario happened to be in the sacristy of the

church as Padre Pio was putting on the special vestments
in preparation for Benediction. Padre Pio first wrapped a
short, white linen cloth called an amice, around his neck and
shoulders. Next came the white robe called an alb, then the
rope around his waist called a cincture, and finally the stole
which he placed around his shoulders, over the alb. The
moment that Padre Pio put on the amice, Mario perceived the
beautiful fragrance of roses filling the sacristy.
Marios attitude underwent a change as the days passed.
There were a peace and serenity in San Giovanni Rotondo
that could be tangibly felt. It seemed to envelop the whole
town. Mario described the beautiful church of Our Lady of
Grace as Heaven on earth.
The day for Mario to make his confession to Padre Pio finally
arrived. He grew increasingly nervous as the time approached.
He had heard about Padre Pios gifts of discernment and
dreaded the thought that Padre Pio might be able to read his
soul. Mario was afraid that Padre Pio might see and reveal to
him, the sins in his life of which he was ashamed.
He was standing near the front of the confessional line
when he saw an incident that filled his heart with trepidation.
Padre Pio, in a voice full of authority, reprimanded a man and
ordered him out of the confessional. Deeply embarrassed,
and with his cheeks flushed red, the man had no other
recourse but to walk past all the men who were waiting in the
confessional line. Everyone saw what had happened.
Upon seeing the unfortunate man leave the church, Mario
lost his courage. He began to tremble and to fear the worst.
He hoped that it was time for the confessions to end for the
morning, but no such luck. The same thing will probably
happen to me, as happened to that poor man, Mario said to
himself. After all, I am not in the best shape spiritually. I have
been negligent in the practice of my faith for a long time. I am
sure that Padre Pio will see it at once.
Mario told the man who was standing behind him in line
that he could go in front of him. But Padre Pio is pointing at
you. He wants to see you, the man replied. Mario looked in
Padre Pios direction and found that it was indeed true. Padre
Pio was looking directly at Mario and beckoning him to come
into the confessional. The man standing behind Mario in line
gave him a shove forward.
At that time, the mens confessions were heard in an open
confessional in the sacristy of the old church. Padre Pio sat
on a chair and a wooden kneeler was placed in front of him.
A curtain was provided for privacy. Very slowly, Mario walked
toward the confessional. Slowly, he reached for the curtain and
pulled it closed. He was hoping that by his slow and deliberate
movements, he would have at least a few minutes to buy
some time to collect himself and to regain his composure.
After Mario closed the curtain and knelt down, Padre Pio
patted his hand lovingly and said to him gently, Be tranquil,
my son. Calm yourself. The words seemed to be charged with
power for at once Mario felt a great tranquility, a wonderful
peace take possession of his soul. The trembling in his body
stopped altogether. Padre Pio then asked Mario a number
of questions. Do you say your morning prayers? Padre Pio
asked. No, I do not, Mario replied. Do you say your night

prayers? Padre Pio asked. Once again Mario had to say no.
Do you tell lies? Yes, I have told lies, Mario replied. It went
on like that with more questions, more admissions. Padre Pio
seemed to know exactly the right questions to ask. They were
all related to Marios areas of weakness. Mario had the feeling
that Padre Pio knew the answers to the questions, even before
he asked them. Mario had no
need to tell his sins; Padre Pio
was naming them for him.
As Padre Pio continued with
his questions, Mario could not
help but stare at him. Padre
Pios face was beautiful. There
was a luminous quality about
it, something Mario had never
seen before. Mario felt like he
was looking at goodness itself.
Padre Pios cheeks were rosy.
He looked robust and healthy.
Most impressive of all were
his dark and penetrating eyes.
Padre Pio hearing a Confession
Mario stared at Padre Pio
in the Sacristy of Our Lady of Grace.
in awe. He was at a loss for
words. He felt himself lifted into a heavenly place. A deep and
profound feeling of spiritual joy coursed through his body and
his soul. Padre Pios eyes were piercing my spirit, Mario said.
I felt that Christ himself was there hearing my confession.
I do not know what to do with my life, Mario said. I dont
know what field of study or career to pursue. Could you give
me some advice? Preghiamo, figiu mi, (Pray, my son) Padre
Pio answered. Padre Pios voice was so sweet, so tender.
He spoke Italian in the Pugliese/Neopolitan dialect. Mario
felt fortunate that he could understand the dialect. Mario
then asked Padre Pio about a matter concerning one of his
brothers. Padre Pios response was, Preghiamo, figiu mi,
Lastly, Mario spoke to Padre Pio about his mother, Adele.
Once again, Padre Pio advised him, Preghiamo, figiu mi.
Padre Pio was so kind, so gentle. Go in peace, my son, Padre
Pio said as Mario kissed his hand. He gave Mario a blessing.
The confession was over but Mario did not want to leave the
confessional. He wanted to stay with Padre Pio forever.
The thought came to Mario that if Padre Pio had asked him
to stay on in San Giovanni Rotondo, he would have agreed to
it in an instant. He would gladly be willing to do any work, no
matter how small or menial, just to be able to be near Padre
Pio. But Mario knew that was just wishful thinking. He and his
mother would soon be going back to the northern part of Italy
and later they would return to their home in New York City.
Mario thought about the long line of men just a few feet
away, waiting patiently for the same opportunity, the same
blessing that he had just received. He forced himself to get up
and walk out of the confessional.
Later on in the afternoon, Mario saw Father Giovanni
Battista who asked him how his confession to Padre Pio went.
Mario shared that it had been a true gift, a truly heavenly
experience. He told Father Giovanni Battista some of the
details of his confession to Padre Pio. Did Padre Pio say the
words, Ego te absolvo? Father Giovanni Battista asked. No,

he did not, Mario replied. That means that you received a

blessing from Padre Pio but not absolution, Father Giovanni
Battista explained. Dont worry about it, though. Padre Pio on
occasion withholds absolution. Believe me. He knows very
well what he is doing. He has his own reasons and we trust
his judgment completely. He is guided by God. Just follow me
into the monastery and I will be able to hear your confession
and give you absolution. Padre Pio knows that we Capuchins
hear the confessions and give absolution to those who, for
one reason or another, have not received it from him. That is
what we always do in these cases. Everything will be allright.
But Mario was disappointed, deeply disappointed. He had
the highest esteem for Father Giovanni Battista but he had
wanted to receive absolution from Padre Pio. Although Father
Giovanni Battista tried to assure him that everything was all
right, in his heart, Mario wondered what had gone wrong.
There were usually three reasons why Padre Pio would
withhold absolution. Those who were insincere, or those who
came to see Padre Pio simply out of curiosity, were usually
turned away. He would frequently withhold absolution from
those who were not properly disposed and had not made a
good preparation to receive the sacrament. He would also
withhold absolution from those who were not sorry for their
sins and had no desire to change.
Many people made their confession to Padre Pio but had
no real desire to amend their life. They knew that they would
continue to commit the same sins; they were not ready to give
them up. It became easy for them to go from sinful acts to
confession and right back to the sinful acts. Their souls were in
grave danger but they remained completely indifferent to their
situation. Padre Pio knew that they had to be shaken out of
their spiritual lethargy. Something had to grab their attention.
On occasion, he withdrew absolution. Being denied absolution
was a definite attention-grabber. In this way, Padre Pio let the
penitents know that by their own decision, they had forfeited
the grace of God. The shock of not receiving absolution often
woke them up and brought about the spiritual change that
was needed.
Padre Pio was keenly aware of his responsibility to those
who made their confession to him. His greatest desire was
to help people draw closer to God. It hurt him to see the way
people neglected God, their highest good. He wrote a letter to
his spiritual director on one occasion and said, I am alone in
bearing the weight of everyone. And the thought of not being
able to give some spiritual relief to those that Jesus sends to
me, the thought of seeing so many souls who want to justify
their sins and thus spite their highest good - afflicts me,
tortures me, makes me a martyr. It wears me out, wracks my
brain, and breaks my heart.
Mario followed Father Giovanni Battista into the private
quarters of the monastery. Once again, he made his
confession. He received absolution and was assured that
he was in a state of grace. As Mario and Father Giovanni
Battista left the small chapel and walked down the corridor,
they passed by Padre Pios cell and noticed that the door was
open. A young altar boy was assisting Padre Pio and helping
him put his sandals on. Mario was startled to see that Padre
Pios bed was completely covered with letters. The amount
Page 3

of letters was so great that not even the blankets on his bed
could be seen.
Mario, this is your chance, Father Giovanni Battista said.
Padre Pio is in his cell. Stand right by his door and wait for
him. You can ask him for the absolution that he did not give
you. But Mario knew that he did not have the courage to ask
Padre Pio for absolution. Just the thought of it was frightening
to him.
Padre Pio walked out of his cell and saw Mario standing
in the hall. For some reason, Father Giovanni Battista was
no place to be seen. As Padre Pio drew closer, Mario knelt
down. What is it you want? Padre Pio asked. I think that you
forgot to give me absolution when I made my confession to
you, Mario replied. If it is possible, I would like to receive it
at this time. Padre Pio placed his hands on Marios head in a
blessing, just as he had done before. Mario once again kissed
his hand and waited, but the words, Ego, te absolvo, were not
spoken. Padre Pio then started to walk down the corridor but
before he had gone even ten steps, he stopped and looked
back at Mario. With deep concentration, he stared at him in
silence. Then he raised his eyes heavenward and remained
motionless for some moments. He then turned and continued
to walk down the corridor until he disappeared from view.
The next day, Mario and his mother would be leaving San
Giovanni Rotondo to take the train back to Ponte Strambo.
Father Giovanni Battista knew that Mario wanted to say
goodbye to Padre Pio. He told Mario that Padre Pio would be
at the monastery stairway at 11:00 a.m. the next morning. If
Mario could be there at the same time, he could receive a final
blessing from him.
At the appointed time, Mario was standing at the stairs
where Father Giovanni Battista had indicated. He was able
to speak to Padre Pio briefly. Mario told him that he and
his mother were leaving that day and he wanted to bid him
goodbye. Padre Pio gave him a final blessing and said, May
the angel of God accompany you on your journey.
As Padre Pio started to walk down the stairs, Mario took
hold of his arm to assist him. One of the Capuchins held his
PADRE PIO DEVOTIONS IN SAN DIEGO
Every 1st Monday Our Lady of the Rosary at State St. and Date St.
Every 3rd Monday at St. Annes Church at Sicard St. and Irving Ave.
Holy Hour begins at 6:00 pm with Mass at 7:00 pm
followed by Benediction and prayers.
To receive information about Padre Pio and a copy of the prayers
that he said daily send 4 stamps and your address to:

Padre Pio Devotions

P.O. Box 191545 San Diego, CA 92159
Find Padre Pio information and past newsletters online at

www.saintpio.org
The Pray, Hope, and Dont Worry newsletter has now been made into a
400 page book: Pray, Hope, and Dont Worry: True Stories of Padre Pio
by Diane Allen and is available from BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com,
Pauline Book & Media, padrepio.com, booksamillion.com, and more.

Page 4

other arm for support. As they descended the stairs, Mario

could tell that Padre Pio was suffering greatly. He had to walk
slowly for it was very painful for him to walk on his stigmatized
feet. Mario knew what a privilege it was to be able to help
Padre Pio down the stairs. As they made their way toward the
landing, many people were reaching out their hands, trying to
touch Padre Pio and speak to him.
Before they left San Giovanni Rotondo to return to Ponte
Strambo, Marios mother, Adele, obtained another ticket for
Padre Pios confessional. She explained to Mario that they
were going to have to return to the monastery in just a matter
of days. She had been so excited about being able to make
her confession to Padre Pio that she forgot to kiss his hand,
and she had a great desire to do so. When getting her new
ticket, she tried to estimate how many days the wait would
be before her number was called. She estimated correctly, for
she and Mario returned to the monastery on the very day that
her name and number were called. She had a chance to see
Padre Pio once again and to kiss his hand. To Adele, it was
well worth the twelve-hour train trip.
Mario reflected many times on every detail of his trip to
San Giovanni Rotondo. It had been a painful experience for
him to realize that Padre Pio had not given him absolution. It
caused him to do some very deep soul-searching. Mario knew
that he had been negligent in the practice of his Catholic faith
for a long time. Before visiting Padre Pio, Mario had been fully
engrossed in worldly pursuits. He was completely indifferent
to the state of his soul. The only reason he went to Mass on
Sundays was because his mother expected it of him. Other
than that, it meant nothing to him. Although he went to
confession on occasion, he knew he would go right back to
committing the same sins that he had previously confessed.
He was attached to his sins; he did not want to give them up.
In San Giovanni Rotondo, while waiting to go to confession
to Padre Pio, Mario had not really made a good preparation.
He had not made a serious examination of conscience before
receiving the sacrament.
Visiting Padre Pio had made Mario aware of the great
spiritual distance which separated him from God. He came to
realize that he had been offending God by his lifestyle. If Padre
Pio had not denied him absolution, he probably would never
have realized that his soul was in grave danger. The times
that he had made his confession in the past had brought no
real change for him. But making his confession to Padre Pio
marked a turning point in his life. He would never be indifferent
to spiritual matters again.
Mario returned to his home in New York City, but it was
not to business as usual. In order to learn more about Padre
Pio, he bought a biography of his life and read it with great
interest. He prayed for Padre Pios guidance and intercession.
He began to attend daily Mass. He had the desire to spend
time in church in front of the Blessed Sacrament and he asked
his pastor if it would be possible to have an all night prayer
vigil at the parish. The pastor thought it was a good idea.
Mario organized the prayer vigil which began at 9:00 p.m. and
continued until 6:00 a.m. the next morning. It was held on the
first Friday of the month and was always well-attended.
Continuing his education, Mario graduated from St. Johns

University in Queens, New York and went on to get his Masters

Degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York
City, New York. He felt very fortunate to find a very good job
with the state of New York in the field of social service. It was
in the beautiful church of Our Lady of Peace in New York City
that Mario met his future wife, Sarojini Kannangara, a native of
Sri Lanka. They married in 1972. Their first child, Pia Angeli,
was a true blessing from God. In 1973, the Bruschis traveled
to Sri Lanka to visit family members.
While in Sri Lanka, a country that is only 7 percent Catholic,
Mario gave a talk on Padre Pio and showed a documentary
film of his life. The presentation was very well received by both
Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Mario had only planned
on showing the film once while on his vacation in Sri Lanka.
He was surprised to receive many requests for additional
showings of the film in other parts of the country. He was
very happy to answer the requests. The response to the
documentary was so enthusiastic that double showings had
to be given on many days. Mario spent almost the entire three
weeks of his vacation traveling from one end of Sri Lanka to
the other, showing the film. Quite unexpectedly, his first trip to
his wifes homeland, turned out to be a working vacation. He
hardly had time to relax, but sharing the message of Padre
Pio proved to be very rewarding.
Mario also received many inquiries regarding the Padre
Pio prayer groups. Through his assistance, many Padre Pio
prayer groups were established in Sri Lanka for the first time.
When his three-week vacation was over, Mario knew that his
work on the beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka was not. He
returned to Sri Lanka nine more times, sharing the story of
Padre Pio from town to town and village to village.
Most Reverend Dominic Athaide, the archbishop of Agra,
India invited Mario to show the documentary film of Padre Pio
to the people of India. The archbishop had a great devotion to
Padre Pio. He had previously visited San Giovanni Rotondo
and had met Padre Pio. Mario accepted the archbishops
invitation and traveled to India three times, showing the film
of Padre Pio in the cities of Madras, Bombay, Agra, Delhi and
many others. Although India is less than 2 percent Catholic,
Mario noticed the same interest and receptivity as he found in
Sri Lanka. In India, he spoke in schools, seminaries, parishes,
private homes, hospitals and cloistered convents.
During his travels, Mario made his lodging in the Capuchin
monasteries of southern India. He came to have great
admiration for the Capuchin priests and brothers who lived
in India. Their lifestyle was simple and austere, true to the
spiritual ideals of St. Francis of Assisi. In accord with the
monastic custom, Mario slept each night on a straw bed with
a hard pillow. He traveled to each new destination, not in an
automobile, but in a simple rickshaw. He was able to adapt
to the culture of India in all ways, except one. The traditional
food, namely the very hot and spicy curry dishes, proved to
be more than Mario could handle. He finally settled for boiled
vegetables only, with no spices.
While in India, Mario showed the film of Padre Pios life to the
members of a leper colony in the city of Agra. The lepers were
very inspired by the presentation. They told Mario that the film
on Padre Pio gave them a great sense of hope. Mario was

very impressed with Archbishop Athaides important work at

the leper colony in Agra. In an effort to provide assistance, the
archbishop asked the lepers to list their fifteen most immediate
needs. After reviewing their comments, the archbishop finally
asked the lepers, What is your greatest need? Their answer
was, spiritual consolation. It was the same great need that
Mario saw in all of his travels. Everywhere, people were
hungry for spirituality, the consolation of a deep prayer life, the
need for God.
Through his public lectures as well as the showing of the
documentary film, Mario was able to introduce thousands of
people in the Far East to Padre Pio. But Mario thought of a
way to reach even more. He contacted one of the executives
in charge of television programming in Sri Lanka and asked
if it would be possible to have the film of Padre Pio shown
on Ceylon television, which broadcasts not only to Sri Lanka
but also to southern India. The executive viewed the film and
approved it. When the program was aired, it is estimated that
between 17-20 million viewers watched the program and were
introduced to Padre Pio in that way.
It was Marios dream that one day the country of Sri Lanka
would have a church named in honor of Padre Pio. He spoke
about it to Most Reverend Marcus Fernando, the archbishop
of the diocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The archbishop was
very supportive of the idea. The following year, Mario returned
to Sri Lanka. He and his brother-in-law, Gamin Kannangara
began making plans for the new church. With the help and
guidance of Father Bertram Dabrera and Father Kingsley
Jayamanne, the dream began to materialize. Mario went
back to the United States and raised most of the funds for the
project.
On September 23, 2007, Most Reverend Oswald Gomis

Page 5

consecrated the beautiful and stately St. Padre Pio Shrine

Church in Athurugiriya, Sri Lanka. It is the first church in Asia
to be dedicated to Padre Pio. Several first class relics of St.
Pio have been enshrined there for public veneration. A Padre
Pio prayer group has also been established there. People now
travel from all parts of Sri Lanka to visit and pray at the St.
Padre Pio Shrine Church in Athurugiriya.
Back home in New York City, where Mario and his family
make their home, Mario has shown the documentary film on
Padre Pios life in more parishes than he can count. A number
of people have told Mario through the years that seeing the
film on Padre Pio changed their life. It was the wake-up call
that brought about their return to the Church and to the
Sacraments.
For more than twenty years, Mario has organized the
annual Padre Pio Mass and celebration that takes place every
August at the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Washington,
New Jersey. Three thousand people attend the full day of
prayer, adoration, holy hour, Mass and procession. In New
York City, Mario is the organizer for the annual Mass for St.
Pio at St. Patricks Cathedral.
Mario has personally started twenty-five Padre Pio
prayer groups. One of the most rewarding of the Padre Pio
prayer groups that he has organized and that he leads each
Thursday afternoon, is held at the Metropolitan Correctional
Facility, a branch of the federal prison in New York City. The
format for the prayer group includes the recitation of the
Rosary, the Divine Mercy chaplet, prayer for the intercession
of St. Pio, and a talk on the life and spirituality of St. Pio. One of
the inmates who attended the Thursday afternoon Padre Pio
prayer group felt the beneficial spiritual effects, and wanted
to share what she had received with others. When she was
released from the Correctional Facility, she returned to her
home in Columbia, South America and started a Padre Pio
prayer group there.
Mario has also given Padre Pio presentations at the federal
prison in Otisville, New York, showing the documentary film
on Padre Pio in both English and Spanish. He regularly visits
Catholic schools, sharing the story of Padre Pio with children
in elementary school and junior high school.
Mario attributes the conversion of his late brother, Dr. Walter
Bruschi, to the intercession of Padre Pio. Walter worked as the
Chief of Psychiatry at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka,
Kansas. Mario frequently had discussions with his brother
about Padre Pio. Walter had a brilliant mind and could hold
his own in any conversation. However, whenever Mario talked
to Walter about Padre Pio, he felt that his words were falling
on deaf ears. Walter had been away from his Catholic faith for
most of his adult life. He doubted every word that Mario said
about Padre Pio. It is science that I believe in, not religion, he
would say to Mario. But a turning point in Walters life came
when tragedy struck the family. His twenty-three year-old son
died suddenly, leaving the entire family devastated.
Walter visited Mario in New York shortly after his sons
death. He told Mario that he wanted to find a spiritual director
and asked him if he could recommend a good priest to him.
Mario gave him the name of an excellent priest who was gifted
in the field of spiritual direction. I would also like to have a

Rosary, Walter said. Would you happen to have an extra

one? Mario was happily surprised at the request. He gave
Walter the Rosary that Padre Pio blessed for him when he
visited San Giovanni Rotondo in 1957. Walter told Mario that
the grief he experienced over the loss of his son, made him
aware for the first time in years of his need for God. Walter
began attending Mass on Sunday and eventually became a
daily communicant.
After Walters conversion back to his faith, he saw his work
as a psychiatrist in a whole new light. For his clients who were
Catholics, Walter often recommended to them that they go
to confession. He would say, I am only a man. I want to help
you but I am limited in what I can do for you. I am not able
to relieve you of the guilt that you feel. But God can. Make a
good confession as soon as possible and you will experience
the healing power of the sacrament and a great sense of
freedom. Later in his life, when Walter was diagnosed with
cancer, he united all of his suffering with Christs sufferings,
and offered it in reparation for sins. When Walter passed away,
he was at peace with God. He was buried with the Rosary that
Padre Pio had blessed.
Mario continues to lead the all night prayer vigils on the first
Friday of each month at Our Lady of Peace parish in New York
City. This year, 2009, will mark his 40th year as organizer of
the vigils. He is very happy that his son has agreed to continue
the prayer vigils and the annual celebration Masses for Padre
Pio when Mario is unable to do so.
Mario has recently been invited to Africa to speak to the
people there about Padre Pio. He is enthusiastic and excited
about future possibilities. Perhaps God has some new work
for me to do, he says. Preghiamo, figiu mi, (Pray, my son),
Padre Pio advised Mario each time he asked him for guidance.
Mario has learned to entrust all of his plans to prayer.
Mario, through the years, has learned the supreme
importance and value of seeking the deep spiritual realities
of life. Once, he found his soul to be in a precarious state. His
brief encounter with Padre Pio in 1957, changed all of that and
set him on a completely new path. Since that time, Mario has
seen miracles both great and small. Most importantly, he has
seen countless lives transformed and restored through the
message and the intercession of Padre Pio.
There is a quotation which says, I am only one, but still I am
one; I cannot do everything, but I can do something; I will not
refuse to do the something I can do. Mario Bruschi is only one
person. Of course we know that he cannot do everything for
the Kingdom of God. No one can. But he has never refused to
do the work set
before him, the
work that he has
felt
especially
called to do. And
he has done a
lot.

Mario inside the St. Padre Pio Church & Shrine

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