A 3-meter-high monument of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina in a praying position was unveiled last Saturday inside the church of Santa Maria dello Spirito Santo in New Castle, Pennsylvania. An initiative commemorating the 125th anniversary of Padre Pio's father, Grazio Forgione, who emigrated to America to support his son's private education as he prepared to enter the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in the little town of Sannio. Grazio Forgione worked at New Castle. In particular - says the American association "Saint Pio Foundatio" promoter of the initiative - in the Mahoningtown district at a farm owned by a family named Myers. Established in 2021 in Pietrelcina, Puglia, the statue is titled "I Embrace You" and stands as the sole life-size replica of the original. It was sculpted by the Catholic artist Timothy Schmal. "The twin statues in Pietrelcina and New Castle will pay tribute to the millions of Italians who traveled to America in search of better opportunities for the lives of their families, as well as to honor the historic role America played in the life of St. Pio," the organization said in a press release. A global community of believers has sprung up around the image of this Capuchin friar with the stigmata. In Italy, there is no spot, square, or church that does not feature a statue of the monk wearing his garb. Thousands of prayer groups have been inspired by his name.
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