“I pray every day, but not because I’m at a World Cup or because I’m trying to get a result,” he told reporters according to ACI Prensa. For him, prayer is not a charm to win matches, but a habit of constant gratitude.

“I give thanks every day, every day that I get up and I’m well,” he continued. “I look at myself and I say: another day that I can enjoy life. I give thanks for those details. I pray because I pray every day, not so that He will help me more.”

De la Fuente also showed a strong sense of justice and charity when speaking about asking God for help before such an important match. “It would be unfair to ask Him to help me and not help our opponent,” he said.

Instead, he entrusts other intentions to God: “I ask for other things: health, especially, and the rest, that He may give me the chance to keep fighting. That’s what I want. With health I have no problem fighting. I’m a warrior and I fight everything, but with health. If I didn’t have health, then there would be some problem.”

As ACI Prensa notes, the coach is widely known for living his Catholic faith visibly and unapologetically. Although he received a religious upbringing as a child, he has shared that he freely and consciously embraced the faith as an adult.

He also clarified that making the sign of the cross before a match is not superstition. It’s a simple, natural expression of what he believes.

De la Fuente has strong devotions as well: he is devoted to Christ of the Expiration, known as “El Cachorro” in Seville, and to Our Lady of the Vega, patroness of Haro, his hometown, ACI Prensa reports.

The series tells the story of King David and his rise from shepherd boy to king after King Saul falls victim to his own pride and the prophet Samuel has no choice but to anoint a new king.

On July 10, Prime Video announced the renewal of “House of David” for Season Three. 

“We are incredibly grateful to fans around the world who have embraced ‘House of David,’” Jon Gunn and Jon Erwin, creators of the show, said in a press release. “Season Three follows David through one of the most defining chapters of his life, and we’re honored to share this next chapter alongside our partners at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.” 

“Whether audiences have known David through Scripture or are encountering him from a fresh perspective, we hope the series continues to reveal why his story has resonated across generations,” the creators added. 

Michael Iskander, the 24-year-old Catholic actor who portrays King David, has also won the hearts of many with his portrayal of Israel’s famous king.

Here are 7 things to know about this young actor:

1. He is an Egyptian-born American actor

Iskander was born in Egypt before immigrating to the United States with his family at the age of nine. He has spoken about the bullying he received in school when he first arrived and having to learn English. 

2. He performed on Broadway

Before becoming known to television audiences, Iskander performed on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical “Kimberly Akimbo,” where he played Aaron Puckett. The production went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2023.

His interest in performing began almost by accident during high school when a friend asked him if he would audition for choir because she would get $10 if she could get a boy to audition. The choir director immediately saw Iskander’s talent and put him in the school choir. That experience eventually led him to school musicals and ultimately Broadway.

3. “House of David” is his first on-camera role

Iskander has spoken about being a fan of the hit series “The Chosen.” While watching the series with his family, they would ask him if he could portray any character in the show, who would he portray. His answer? A young King David. 

While on Broadway, Iskander was told about a series being made about King David. He immediately felt called to audition. Despite initially being told ‘no,’ he was then asked to re-audition. His mother encouraged him to pray and fast ahead of his second audition. After a 3-hour meeting with the creator of the show, he received the call that he got the role. This series was his first experience acting on-camera. 

4. He is a convert to Catholicism

Before becoming Catholic, Iskander was raised in the Coptic Orthodox Church. Iskander’s journey toward Catholicism started several years ago when he happened to stumble into St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. Although tourists filled the historic cathedral, Iskander went in, sat down in a pew, put his head down, and felt “as if nothing existed,” he told EWTN News.

“I looked at the altar knowing that’s where the Eucharist lies and I’m like, ‘I want the Eucharist.’ And I remember feeling this moment of extreme holiness,” he recalled.

He credited that day with planting the seed of his interest in Catholicism. From then on, he began attending Mass. As he learned more about King David in preparation for the show, that interest, which became a calling, kept growing.

After he finished filming Season 2 of “House of David,” Iskander got in contact with a priest in his area to go over questions he had about Catholicism. After a nearly two-hour conversation, he told the priest he wanted to convert.

Because the Catholic Church recognizes sacraments from the Coptic Orthodox church as valid, Iskander took part in a profession of faith during a Mass for him held on Aug. 21, 2025. 

“It was just a beautiful day and I felt like I was home … It felt like the prodigal son who returned and his father accepted him with open arms,” Iskander said.

5. He underwent unusual training for the role

Preparing to portray the shepherd-turned-king involved more than memorizing lines. Iskander trained with shepherds, learned to care for sheep, practiced ancient-style movement, and underwent extensive physical conditioning. He has joked that the sheep wanted nothing to do with him at first.

6. He's also a singer 

Music has always been a significant part of Iskander's life. In addition to releasing original music, he contributed vocals to the “House of David” soundtrack, including "Lead Me to the Water" with country artist Gabby Barrett. He also released a 6-track EP entitled “The Songs of David,” which features several Psalms sung by Iskander like he does in the show. 

7. He hopes his work points people toward God

Rather than simply entertaining audiences, Iskander has expressed a desire for his performances to inspire viewers to explore Scripture and deepen their relationship with God. He has said playing David has given him opportunities to evangelize through storytelling. 

The Church celebrates the feast day of this incredible saint on July 15.

Here are a few things to know about Saint Bonaventure, followed by a powerful prayer written by him:

1) Saint Bonaventure was given the title of “Seraphic Doctor” due to his incredible theological influence and spiritual wisdom. He is a Doctor of the Church.

According to Franciscan Media,

“Bonaventure experienced God’s love as revealed in the humility and suffering of Christ, whose cross enables us to experience God’s companionship and the power to change our lives. Bonaventure wanted to share the Franciscan experience of intimacy with God not only with monks and priests but with “ordinary” people who can embody this same love in the spiritual integration of head, heart, and hands.”

“If you do not know your own dignity and condition, you cannot value anything at its proper worth.” – Saint Bonaventure, Holiness of Life

2) Saint Bonaventure had a deep devotion to Our Blessed Mother.

He frequently wrote of her role in salvation history. In his work, “Mirror of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” Bonaventure described her unique relationship with God, her divine grace, and her powerful role as an intercessor for all humanity.

“Thy beauty astonishes the sun and the moon; the angelic powers serve and obey thee. By thy gentle touch the sick are healed: by thy rose-sweet fragrance the dead revive.” – Saint Bonaventure, The Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary

3) Saint Bonaventure was friends with both Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Louis, King of France.

He met them while completing his studies in Paris.

4) Saint Bonaventure wrote the official biography of Saint Francis of Assisi!

According to Catholic News Agency, 

“Wishing to present an authentic image of the life and teaching of their founder, he zealously collected documents about Saint Francis of Assisi and heard testimonies of those who had actually known him. From this information, he compiled a biography of the saint that was adopted as his official biography by the General Chapter of the Friars Minor in 1263.”

“The proud demons flee before the lofty virtues of the humble.” – Saint Bonaventure, The Life of Saint Francis

It is also said that as an infant, he was healed by the intercessory prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Below you will find a beautiful prayer written by Saint Bonaventure:

"Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee, may yearn for Thee and for thy courts, may long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.

Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and super substantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delightful taste.

May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, Whom the angels desire to look upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the fullness of the house of God;

May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak of Thee, and do all for the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverance to the end; and be Thou alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably. Amen.

Prayer Source: EWTN

July 14 is the feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the Catholic Church’s first Native American saint.

Back in 2020, Dominican priest Fr. Patrick Hyde, OP, explained how this 17th-century saint led him to the priesthood. He explained how she was “orphaned at a young age, and under immense pressure to do otherwise, she gave her life to Christ.”

“Her life was totally different from my own, but her complete desire to give all things to Jesus resounded in my heart.”

Here’s his full story below:

Here’s the text of his Twitter thread:

“My devotion to St. Kateri Tekakwitha, or “How a Random Encounter with a Saint Changed My Life and Forced Me to Discern My Vocation Seriously:” A thread.

“In 2008, I started teaching seventh grade at St. Michael Indian School on the Navajo Reservation. Fresh out of college, untrained to be a teacher, moving to a new place, struggling deeply with sin, and desiring to give my life to Christ, I arrived on the Rez with a lot on my plate.

“I went to the Reservation because I made a deal with God: I would give Him one year of service to the poor and daily prayer. In exchange, at the end of the year, unless led otherwise, I will stop discerning priesthood, get married, have five kids, and live an upper, middle-class life.

“My first day on campus, I saw this beautiful statue of a Native American woman named ‘Blessed Kateri.’ I had never heard of her. As a Catholic, I figured it was good to have saints interceding on my behalf, so, knowing nothing about her, I began praying for her intercession.

“Within a few weeks of being on the Reservation, teaching, and praying everyday — simple prayer life really, back then, Rosary and Scripture in the morning, examination of conscience & bedtime prayers in the evening — my life began to unravel in the most delightful ways.

“The sins which had so enamored me became less attractive, even repugnant. The desire to be a priest, which I had rejected & resisted for years, was increasingly the only thing that made sense. Mass, which was something I always did, now became the absolute center of my life.

“Everyday I prayed for the intercession of this saint I hardly knew: Blessed Kateri. Finally, I relented and started to research her life. What I discovered me inspires me to this day. Orphaned at a young age & under immense pressure to do otherwise, she gave her life to Christ.

“Her life was totally different from my own, but her complete desire to give all things to Jesus resounded in my heart. She was praying for me and challenging me to imitate her total gift of self and everyday she watched over me as I walked into and out of school under her statue.

“I still pray with St. Kateri each day. Now, I pray for those on the Navajo Reservation who struggle with poverty and all of the ill effects that systemic poverty brings on a community. I have especially prayed for the Navajo as they’ve been wracked by COVID-19.

“In the end, the saints are our advocates, our friends, our brothers and sisters whose prayers echo eternally in the presence of God. I hope you will find a saint like St. Kateri who can help lead you from where you are to where God wants you to be next.

“St. Kateri, pray for us.”

A group of young people in Argentina is inspiring thousands online with a stunning mosaic of Jesus—made entirely from plastic bottle caps.

The massive artwork recreates the iconic face of Christ inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, using thousands of carefully arranged caps to bring the image to life.

The project was shared on Instagram by art teacher Sebastián Ramírez, who accompanied the post with the phrase “Soli Deo Gloria”—Latin for “Glory to God alone.”

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The mosaic was created by students from Instituto Nuestra Señora de Lourdes in Buenos Aires. Their dedication and attention to detail transformed simple recycled materials into a powerful image of faith.

Ramírez expressed his gratitude and awe at the students’ work:

“Art [made] with bottle caps representing the most iconic face in the history of humanity, the face of Jesus at the Last Supper, by Leonardo da Vinci. Very blessed to see so many young people creating a work of art of this magnitude.
Thanks be to God, thank You, thank You, thank You. Amen.”

This isn’t the students’ first creative project. In previous years, they’ve also produced impressive mosaics honoring Pope Francis, Salvador Dalí, and Lionel Messi.

The video of the mosaic’s creation—and its breathtaking final result—has already drawn over 122,000 views and more than 15,000 likes on social media, with many viewers praising both the artistry and the faith behind it.

Some commenters wrote:

“How beautiful my Jesus… what an inspired work by young believers.”

“It moves me deeply to see our kids creating this marvel… an offering of faith and love.”

“Congratulations! So beautiful—faith in action!”

It’s a simple yet powerful reminder: even the smallest things can come together to reflect the face of Christ.

Saint Kateri lived in the 17th century. Today, she is revered as a symbol of indigenous spirituality, resilience, and the transformative power of faith!

The Church celebrates her feast day on July 14.

Here are nine things to know and share about Saint Kateri Tekakwitha:

1. Kateri was born in 1656 in the Kanienkehaka (“Mohawk”) village of Ossernenon. She lived most of her life in present-day New York.

2. Her mother was an Algonquin Catholic, and her father was a Kanienkehaka chief. Her mother's faith left a lasting impression on her.

3. Although weakened, partially blinded, and scarred, she was the only member of her family to survive the smallpox epidemic.

4. She was baptized on Easter in 1676 at age 20. She later moved to the Catholic mission of Saint Francis Xavier at Sault Saint-Louis near Montreal.

5. Saint Kateri spent much of her time before the Blessed Sacrament and always carried a Rosary with her.

6. Saint Kateri died at age 24. Her last words were, “Jesus, I love You.”

7. The priests at Kateri’s deathbed said her facial scars from smallpox miraculously cleared.

8. Saint Kateri is the first canonized indigenous woman from North America.

9. She is the patron saint of indigenous peoples, ecology, and the environment.

Here is a prayer for Saint Kateri Tekakwitha's intercession:

Loving God, we celebrate Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, “Lily of the Mohawks,” as one of Your Son’s most faithful followers. Help us to turn away all evil and walk in her footsteps, sharing our love and concern with others.

Let us revere Your mystical presence in the poor and suffering as did she. Through Kateri’s powerful intercession, we confidently ask You to grant us this special favor we ask for in her name (mention your intentions).

Share Your healing and peace, especially with family, friends, and the sick, whom we commend to Your loving care. We ask this through Your Crucified and Risen Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, Who lives with You forever and ever.

Amen.

Pray the full litany to this incredible saint on EWTN's website.

Despite facing personal hardships, their unwavering faith and trust in God serve as an inspiration to families and couples worldwide

Here are 10 things to know about Saints Louis and Zelie Martin:

1) Louis was a watchmaker, and Zélie was a talented lacemaker, running a lace‑making business from home.

2) They both discerned religious life before they met. According to family testimony, when Zélie first saw Louis, she heard Our Lady’s voice interiorly say, “He is the one I have prepared for you.”

3) They married on July 12, 1858, in Alençon, France. Their wedding anniversary is also kept as their liturgical feast day in many places on July 12.

4) Zélie bore nine children, four of whom died very young in infancy or childhood. In the midst of their grief, she wrote in one of her letters, “…life is short and full of miseries, and we shall find our little ones again up above.”

5) They overcame many crosses on their path to sainthood. Louis faced emotional and health struggles, and Zélie endured the demands of being a working mother while managing the lace business and the household. Yet, together, they prioritized family and faith while raising their children.

6) The couple attended daily Mass whenever possible and faithfully received Holy Communion, especially on First Fridays, nurturing a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart.

7) Their five surviving daughters all became religious sisters. Their youngest, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, was later proclaimed a Doctor of the Church, and their third daughter, Léonie Martin, is a Servant of God whose cause for canonization is underway.

8) Zélie died of breast cancer at the age of 45, leaving Louis a widower with their five daughters. He then dedicated himself to raising them and teaching them the faith by his holy example, even amid his own serious illness and trials.

9) The Martins were canonized together by Pope Francis on Oct. 18, 2015, in St. Peter’s Square, becoming the first married couple in history to be canonized together as spouses.

10) Through their intercession, God continues to bless families today. Two miracles involving gravely ill children were officially recognized for their beatification and canonization, and many couples and parents now turn to Saints Louis and Zélie as powerful patrons of marriage, parenting, and family life.

Prayer for Spouses to Louis and Zelie Martin:

Saints Louis and Zelie Martin,
today we ask you to intercede for us.
You are the first canonized married couple,
and we look to you as a holy example
and model for our own marriages.

We ask you to bless all marriages.
Help us to live out our married life with joy and virtue
and for those of us who have children,
please help us to be virtuous parents.  

You have modeled for us an exemplary Christian life;
may the example of your unwavering trust in God
and your constant willingness to surrender
all the joys, the trials, the sorrows
and the sufferings that filled your life.
Encourage us to persevere in our daily challenges
and to remain in joy and Christian hope.

Prayer Source: Marriages of Grace

Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, pray for us!

One of the earliest biographies of his life was written by Pope Saint Gregory the Great, and it includes many stories of incredible miracles performed by the monk.

Here are seven of the best miracles Saint Benedict of Nursia performed:

1) Saint Benedict broke a glass full of poison with the Sign of the Cross.

The abbot of a nearby monastery died, and the monks there asked Saint Benedict if he would become their new abbot. He declined at first, but they insisted, so he agreed. Benedict was stricter than the previous abbot, and soon the monks came to hate Benedict. They decided to kill him and put some poison in his glass of wine.

But when he made the Sign of the Cross to bless the wine, the wine glass suddenly broke as if a rock had been thrown at it. Saint Gregory the Great writes in his telling of the story:

“On which accident the man of God by and by perceived that the glass had in it the drink of death, which could not endure the sign of life.”

2) Saint Benedict saved a man from drowning by briefly becoming another person.

A monk named Placidus was getting water from the lake, accidentally fell in, and was swept away quickly by a current. Even though Benedict was a good distance from the lake, he miraculously knew what had happened and immediately ordered another monk, Maurus, to run to the lake to save Placidus.

When Maurus arrived at the lake, without thinking about it, he ran across the surface of the lake, grabbed Placidus by the hair, and dragged him back to shore. He only realized he had walked on water after he was back on land. Saint Gregory the Great writes that Maurus “marveled and was afraid of what he had done.”

And this is where things got a lot weirder. 

Talking about the event later that day, Maurus insisted that he had hardly been aware of walking on water as he was doing it. And Placidus? He claimed that the person who had pulled him from the water in the middle of the lake wasn’t wearing Maurus’ clothes, but Benedict’s.

In other words, in some mysterious way, although Maurus had been the one who went to the lake, Benedict had miraculously worked through him to walk on water and save Placidus.

3) Saint Benedict read the minds of his monks.

A few of his monks were sent to deliver a message to another town. For the length of the journey, Benedict ordered them to fast, as was their custom. But the trip took a bit longer than they expected, and someone invited them to their house for a good meal, and they accepted – who would know?

Benedict would. When they got back, he immediately asked them where they had been eating. When they said they hadn’t eaten anywhere, he told them where they had eaten and what they had eaten, including how many drinks they had had. Caught, as well as afraid of the fact that Benedict could know all the details of what they had done, they “fell down trembling at his feet” and confessed their sin.

4) Saint Benedict brought a child back to life.

During a construction project at the abbey, Satan himself came to Saint Benedict and told him that he planned on attacking the monks working on the project. Benedict at once sent a warning to the workers. Just as soon as the message arrived, a partially completed wall collapsed on a small boy who was helping with the work, killing him.

Grief-stricken, the monks brought the dead, mangled body to Benedict, who laid the child’s corpse on a table, sent everyone out of the room, and started praying. Miraculously, the boy came back to life, his body healed of all injuries.

5) Saint Benedict moved a huge stone with his prayer.

Some monks were busy building new cells at their abbey and came across a huge stone that blocked the path to their building. Even working all together, they were unable to move the stone.

So what did they do? Call Saint Benedict, of course! He said a prayer for them that the stone would move, and – voilà! – The monks were able to easily move the stone.

6) Saint Benedict exorcised a stubborn demon.

A man in a nearby town was possessed by a demon, and his local bishop was unable to exorcise it. He sent the man to the shrines of many holy martyrs, but without any effect.

Finally, the bishop summoned Benedict, who called on Our Lord Jesus Christ in prayer and immediately freed the man of the demon. Benedict left them with two rules to follow to avoid another demonic attack: (1) abstain from meat for the rest of his life, and (2) do not try to enter the priesthood.

7) Saint Benedict was unfazed by the devil’s trickery.

During construction, Benedict requested that the monks dig a deep hole in a certain spot. The monks found an old brass idol. For some reason, one of the monks set the idol in their kitchen, not intending to worship it, but just as a place to put it.

Suddenly, a massive fire broke out in the kitchen. Worried the fire might engulf their whole building, the monks called for Benedict, who said he saw no fire. When the monks insisted the kitchen was full of flames, Benedict realized that the flames were a trick of the devil to scare them – a trick that was completely ineffective on him. He prayed that the monks would be freed from the deception, and they quickly were.

Saint Benedict of Nursia, pray for us!

He’s the newly ordained Maronite priest who drew his entire village together to celebrate his new chapter with God.  

In a three-part video series, posted by @Eastern_Christians on Instagram, twin brothers Charbel and Giovanni Lteif, 21-year-old Maronite Catholics from Lebanon, showed how what started as a beautiful celebration for Father Johnny turned into a village party. 

Watch the full story below:

Women of all ages tossed rose petals to the priest, and while many applauded him as they walked together with him from his home to the church for his first Divine Liturgy, others sang and danced.   

From monks to priests to nuns to friends to family members, the Mass was held outside the chapel.  

“When an entire village in Lebanon gathers to celebrate and welcome its new priest, you might think it’s a wedding, and in many ways, you wouldn’t be mistaken. For the man has just entered a lifelong union with God, a bond that not even death can separate…” 

“This is the beauty of Christianity in Lebanon. The entire community gathers to celebrate the ordination of its new priest. You might think it’s a wedding, and in many ways, you wouldn’t be mistaken. A priest has just entered a lifelong union with God, a bond that not even death can separate.” 

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In a third video, Father Johnny carries the Holy Eucharist on his head in procession, a beautiful gesture of union with Christ, reminding the church of Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist.   

“When a new Maronite priest is ordained, he carries the Most Holy Eucharist on his head in procession. This solemn act expresses his union with Christ, who is truly present in the Eucharist, which becomes the center of his life and priestly ministry.

"He is then entrusted with distributing the Body and Blood of Christ to the faithful. Just as Jesus gave His life for the salvation of the world, the priest now offers his life in service to Christ for the salvation of the souls entrusted to his ministry.” 

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The Lteif brothers have built a massive social media presence by sharing the beauty, the traditions, and the depth of Eastern Christianity through their lens.    

The Maronite Church is one of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, while the Roman Catholic Church is the only Western church. All 24 Catholic churches are in full communion with one another and united with the Holy Father and the Vatican. 

The difference between a Maronite church and a Roman Catholic church is in some of its traditions, rituals, and liturgies.

Watch this EWTN News In Depth report about the Maronite church below:

It was January 18, 1905. Padre Pio was not yet a priest, not yet the renowned friar with the stigmata and countless spiritual children.

He was only a young Capuchin seminarian, Fra Pio, quiet, studious, faithful in prayer. That evening, he was kneeling in the monastery choir alongside Brother Anastasio. It was close to 11:00; the monastery hushed in silence.

Then, without warning, the young friar was carried up in spirit, transported far from the stone walls around him.

He later described the experience in simple words: He found himself in the palace of a wealthy family, where the master of the house lay dying as his wife labored to bring forth a child. In that vision, the Blessed Mother herself appeared before him.

“She radiated a light more tender than dawn, more powerful than the sun.”

With maternal gentleness, the Blessed Mother turned to Fra Pio and entrusted him with a mission that would last a lifetime. 

“My son,” she said, “I entrust this unborn child to your care. She will one day be a precious jewel, but right now she has no form. Shape and polish her. Make her as brilliant as you can, because one day I would like to have her in My court in heaven.”

The Blessed Mother’s answer was firm, yet full of tenderness:

“Do not doubt me. She will come to you. But first, you will meet her in the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome.”

In the next instant, Fra Pio was once again in the choir stall, his hands folded in prayer, as if nothing had happened. Yet everything had changed.

That very night, in the northern city of Udine, Giovanna Rizzani was born.

Her entry into the world was marked by drama and sorrow. Her father, a wealthy Mason, lay upstairs at death’s door. Her mother, Leonilde, gave birth prematurely in the palace garden, aided only by the steward. But Heaven intervened: A priest was permitted to baptize the fragile infant. In reality, he heard the Confession of Giovanna’s father, who died reconciled with God.

Thus, both birth and death were intertwined in that moment, and Heaven had already written Giovanna’s life into the story of Padre Pio.

The following year, in 1923, Giovanna traveled with her aunt to San Giovanni Rotondo, the remote mountain town where Padre Pio lived.

The monastery corridor was crowded with pilgrims when suddenly Padre Pio stopped. His penetrating gaze fell upon Giovanna. With words that struck her like lightning, he said:

“I know you. You were born the day your father died.”

The next morning, she went to Confession. Before she could speak, Padre Pio greeted her tenderly: “My daughter, finally you have come! I have been waiting for you so many years.”

“But Father,” she whispered, “this is the first time I have ever met you.”

He smiled gently.

“No, my child, I know you well. Do you not remember last summer in St. Peter’s Basilica? You came searching for a confessor, and I heard your confession. That was me.”

Then he revealed the secret of the Blessed Mother’s words:

“Before you were born, Our Lady brought me to your home. I witnessed your father’s death. She entrusted you to me. You are my responsibility.”

From that day on, Giovanna became one of his most faithful spiritual daughters.

Later, Padre Pio invested her in the Third Order of St. Francis. To her surprise, he chose for her the name Jacopa.

Padre Pio shook his head.

“No. You will be Jacopa. Just as Jacopa de Settesoli was at the side of St. Francis when he died, so too will you be present at my death.”

Years passed. Giovanna, now Sr. Jacopa, remained steadfast under Padre Pio’s direction. Near the end of his life, he spoke to her with urgency.

“Come soon to San Giovanni Rotondo, for I am going away. If you delay, you will not find me.”

On September 23, 1968, as Padre Pio entered eternal life, Sr. Jacopa experienced a vision.

She was transported mystically to his cell. She saw the friars around his bed. She witnessed the exact moment of his passing, though she had never entered his room before. Later, she described every detail, the arrangement of the room, the faces of those present. All was confirmed true.

Just as Padre Pio had foretold, she was indeed at his side when he died.

For me, this miracle is the most beautiful of all. It was not a single dramatic healing, nor an isolated grace. It was the story of a soul guided from birth to death under the mantle of Our Lady and the hand of Padre Pio.

From the night Giovanna was born to the moment Padre Pio breathed his last, their lives were bound together in a mystery of mercy. He shaped her as Our Lady requested, and she, in turn, stood as witness to the sanctity of his mission.

When I reflect on this, I cannot help but whisper with reverence: This truly was Padre Pio’s miracle.

This article is an excerpt from Susan De Bartoli’s book, "Padre Pio’s American Daughter: The Story of Mary Pyle."