September 23: St. Pio of Pietrelcina + Free Coloring Page

Scroll down to find your free St. Pio of Pietrelcina coloring page download!

St. Pio of Pietrelcina: A Saint of Prayer, Healing, and Compassion

St. Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, is one of the most beloved saints of the 20th century. Known for his deep spirituality, devotion to prayer, and miraculous healings, St. Pio’s feast day (September 23rd) offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on his life, his spiritual gifts, and his extraordinary love for God and others. To help children connect with his inspiring story, I’ve created a free St. Pio of Pietrelcina coloring page that you can download and print!

Who Was St. Pio of Pietrelcina?

St. Pio of Pietrelcina was born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887, in the small town of Pietrelcina, Italy. He entered the Capuchin Order and took the name Pio when he became a friar. St. Pio was known for his profound prayer life and dedication to God. He is most famous for receiving the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, on his hands, feet, and side, which he bore for over 50 years. Despite the suffering these wounds caused, St. Pio continued to serve others through prayer, counseling, and healing. Padre Pio was known to be a man of great compassion, offering comfort to those who came to him for spiritual guidance.

Did You Know?

Did you know that St. Pio could hear confessions for hours every day? His deep compassion for others led him to dedicate his life to helping people experience God’s love and forgiveness. Many people traveled long distances just to seek his advice or go to confession with him. St. Padre Pio’s role as a spiritual guide and his extraordinary connection with God made him one of the most beloved saints.

Here you’ll find a video about St. Padre Pio from the Bible Stories for Kids YouTube channel:

How to Use This Printable:

This coloring page is a simple yet meaningful way to introduce children to the life of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Here are a few ways you can incorporate it into your home or classroom:

Feast Day Celebration:

Use it as an activity on September 23rd to talk about St. Pio’s life and his commitment to prayer and healing. Some of his contributions to the Church include:

The Stigmata: St. Pio’s acceptance of the wounds of Christ as a sign of his deep union with Jesus.
Healing and Miracles: Countless people were healed through St. Pio’s intercession. He is also known for his ability to read souls, helping guide many people on their spiritual journeys.
Confession Ministry: St. Pio spent many hours each day in the confessional, offering advice, absolution, and guidance to the faithful, helping them to grow closer to God.

Faith Connection:

Since St. Pio was a man of deep prayer, encourage children to think about how prayer can help us grow closer to God while they color the page.

Bible Study:

Pair the coloring page with a reading on the power of prayer and healing to make learning more interactive.

Here’s a passage to read together: Mark 11:24 (Find reflection questions below the printable.)

So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Download Your Free St. Pio of Pietrelcina Coloring Page!

Click the link below to download and print your free St. Pio of Pietrelcina coloring page:

Click here to download your PDF “Padre Pio: Free Printable PDF”

Reflection:

After reading, ask the children:

Why do you think St. Pio was so devoted to prayer?
How can we make prayer a bigger part of our lives like St. Pio did?
Padre Pio was known for healing people spiritually. What are some ways we can help others when they are sad or hurting?
Padre Pio spent many hours listening to others in confession. Why do you think it’s important to listen to people when they need help?
How can we show compassion like St. Pio did for others?