A Hard Life for Novices

Life in the novitiate was as austere and rigorous as one could imagine. Early morning risings, prayers in the middle of the night, long hours devoted to study and meditation, and the observance of strict silence—especially when outsiders were present in the monastery—defined the novices' daily routine.

They were instructed to keep their heads bowed, a practice meant to preserve inner recollection and mastery over their senses. This strict discipline even caused misunderstandings with Francesco’s family. On one occasion, when his mother visited him, she found him seemingly distant, to the point of worrying that he had grown alienated or was unwell. When his father heard of this, he considered removing Francesco from the novitiate at Morcone.

The novitiate’s demands extended to physical mortifications, including the use of the "discipline" (a small iron chain for self-flagellation), scrupulous confessions, meager meals, and enduring harsh cold.

It was a life designed to temper the novice, shaping him into a man of faith.

Francesco embraced these practices fully—perhaps to excess—leaving marks on both his body and health that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

One year later, after making his simple vows and leaving Morcone, Francesco had already become a fully formed friar and began his studies for the priesthood.

From Morcone, he moved on to various monasteries, including Sant'Elia a Pianisi, San Marco la Catola, Serracapriola, Montefusco, and Gesualdo.

The years following his novitiate were marked by constant relocation. Francesco moved from one monastery to another to attend courses taught by instructors who frequently changed locations. At times, his fragile health also necessitated transfers. This itinerant life allowed him to become familiar with nearly all the monasteries in the so-called Province of Saint Angelo, scattered across Puglia, Campania, and Molise.

However, his stays were often brief due to persistent health issues, including general malaise, fever, and an inability to retain food. These ailments, likely stemming from the excessive self-mortifications of his novitiate, often required him to return to Pietrelcina for rest and recovery.

As time went on, regular stays in his hometown became essential for Francesco to regain his strength.

In truth, he ended up spending more time in Pietrelcina than in the monasteries. Even so, he persevered with his studies as much as possible and maintained a steady correspondence with his superiors, Father Benedetto and Father Agostino, both based in San Marco in Lamis. Father Agostino, in particular, came to recognize that the extraordinary experiences surrounding this frail friar were not entirely natural. As his confessors and spiritual directors, they were privy to the profound workings of his soul, even though bound by the seal of confession to keep these revelations private.

Fifteen days after entering the novitiate, Francesco was clothed in the Franciscan habit and became known to all as Fra Pio.

Finally, after countless trials and tribulations that at times seemed to overshadow his fervent desire to fully follow his vocation, Fra Pio completed the required stages of subdiaconate and diaconate. Having passed the final examination, he was ordained a priest on August 10, 1910.

The solemn ceremony took place in the cathedral of Benevento and was officiated by Monsignor Paolo Schinosi, archdeacon and general visitor of the diocese. His mother, Giuseppa, was present, although his father and brother were still in America.

“On the feast of Saint Lawrence, I felt my heart burning with love for Jesus. How happy I was, how much joy I experienced that day!” Padre Pio would later write. On August 14, he celebrated his first Mass in Pietrelcina. His superior and spiritual director, Father Agostino, delivered the customary address, expressing his heartfelt hope that Padre Pio’s ministry would be one of a great confessor.