Customer Reviews

The Holy Man on the Mountain: Padre Pio and the Americans who Discovered Him

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Frank Rega has gathered in one book all the stories--many never before told--of the first Americans, especially GIs, who discovered Padre Pio early on, at a time when you could still get near him, speak to him, kiss his gloved hand. I met Padre Pio briefly two years before he died. By then the world had begun to make inroads into this long forgotten mountain, and because of his age and frailty, Pio was guarded by friars who protected him from the rushing waves of people (much as Jesus was surrounded by crowds). But it wasn't so during the war. Rega writes about the GIs--battered soldiers, exhausted fliers, engineers--who took the road that wound up the lonely, barren mountain to San Giovanni Rotondo, some in trucks and jeeps, some even walking, to find this rumor of a "holy man" they'd heard about at the airbases below. Prompted by faith or curiosity in the midst of battle (perhaps, I have always thought, spurred on to a secret mission they were completely unaware of), they found the holy man to be a conduit of miracles, a discerner of souls called "a saint." They found a stigmatist, who became known as "The Living Crucifix." And all of the GIs spoke of Pio's profound Holy Mass conveying a real presence. I'd read snippets in other Pio books about their awe, their standing in the back of the tiny, crowded 16th- century church, soldiers but also saints, in a way, answering the call for God and country. I had read of their visits to Mary Pyle, the first American to make her way up the mule path to Pio in 1923 (a great story recounted in detail in Rega's book), but I always longed to know more, more! What was it like during the war, when sacrifice was a daily thing? How did Pio inspire these men? Some even became priests! What did the GIs say to Padre Pio? And Pio to them? Well here it all is! And Rega does a sound, thorough, updated investigation of "The Flying Monk" mystery that haunts the legends of Padre Pio--Pio seen in the sky, stopping American bombers from unloading their unused bombs near San Giovanni Rotondo before returning to their base.
This is an unusual Pio book, putting the American and GI part of the Padre Pio story all together so we don't have to chase everywhere for the puzzle pieces to make the grand tapestry. The metaphor and meaning of this story is that we must search for Jesus, look for Our Savior, climb mountains, if necessary, to find him in ourselves.

And oh yes, that possible secret mission of the GIs, for which it seems they were a great instrument in a plan of God we can only guess at? To carry back Saint Pio to this land of faith--"the good America!" I loved this book!

My father was one of the GIs talked about so many times in this book. His personal friendship with Padre Pio changed his life. Coming back from WWII, dad spent endless evenings showing his movies and slide shows about Padre Pio to church groups and anyone interested. It was a mission to him.

Dad always wanted to publish a book about his lifetime friendship with this holy man who is now a saint. Dad passed away without doing so, but some of his personal notes were used by Mr. Rega in this book... as were letters that he wrote to others concerning Padre Pio. As my mother and entire family is, dad would have been very pleased with Mr. Rega's book.

This is not merely a manuscript. It is an owner's manual for a soul. The stories within are enlightening, fascinating, encouraging and expertly handled by Mr. Rega's unique gift as a talented author. Not only is it well written, the content makes it almost impossible to put down before finishing.

This book is a "must" for anyone interested in Padre Pio.
Highly, highly recommended!

This book as been re-issued under a new title, "Padre Pio and America," with a new publisher, TAN Books. Look for it at amazon.com under its new name, or go to the tanbooks.com website. Thanks to everyone for making "The Holy Man on the Mountain" such a success that the expanded second edition with a larger publisher has been made possible. Frank Rega.

Frank Rega's book on Padre Pio will take you into an intimate look with a soul united to God. Through his sufferings, Padre Pio became conformed to Christ, not only spiritually, but physically as well. His closeness to Christ was seen through his sufferings, which he united to God's own suffering, to help save souls from destruction. Padre Pio's love for soldiers gives me great consolation, since I have a son serving in Iraq. As a lay Franciscan, I pray to him daily to intercede for my family, and to protect, watch over, and guide my children to Jesus.. Thank you, Frank, for writing such a wonderful book!!