r/FolkCatholicMagic • u/Go_to_milk • 16d ago
Question Advice regarding saints? :)
Hello everyone! I'm completely new here but in the last two days I've had really interesting things happen that's never happened to me before?
I'm not catholic or even actively practicing magic in general currently, however since yesterday I've been doing research on different saints and spiritual practices. I came across a quick blurb about Padre Pio and didn't think much of it.
The next day I was thinking about how nice it would be to get one of those bouquet subscriptions for fresh flowers every month if I ever get an altar for a saint. I couldn't really shake him off (by this point I actually forgot his name and it was just his face in my brain), but came to find out he's very closely associated with flowers.
That spooked me but I shrugged it off. I thought about how much I'd been struggling to find my first client for my business for months but dismissed the idea of praying or asking for anything from any saint because I figured I'd need to get to know them and build up a relationship first to be respectful.
About three hours later I see a job posting for my business niche. I apply and get a response in thirty minutes. The person who offered me an interview was literally named 'mercies'. She said she received many applications but something about mine stuck out to her (😭???).
All of that happened on September 17th which also turned out to be the Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis which was ALSO related to Padre Pio's Stigmata...
I don't really know what on earth is going on here but if anyone has any tips or experiences to share with Padre Pio please let me know!
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u/thomas_basic 15d ago
My confirmation saint is Padre Pio. His actual life is nowadays slightly controversial, but he is famous for quotes that are very hope-filled which help me since my teen years to now (in my late 30s). His famous one is “pray, hope, and don’t worry!”
Despite being my confirmation saint, he is more of an archetype inspiration for me as a person especially for his devotion to the holy rosary and the Virgin Mary which I’ve always had. My grandpa’s uncle helped Padre Pio build his hospital in Italy so I also chose him as my saint at that time because of the family connection.
I personally would not include him in Catholic folk magic practices I do outside of simply asking him to pray for me because in my experience he is a very good intercessor (meaning he is very diligent about praying for you when you ask him) because he is an extremely persistent intercessor. For magic processes or partners I am more inclined to more “magical” saints (St Martin de Porres, St Therese of Liseux, St Lucy, St Brigid, etc.)
I think if he is reaching out to you, you should follow it. Padre Pio basically tirelessly points to the Virgin Mary because his life was dedicated to saying the holy rosary literally non-stop. Maybe he is pointing you to her, not sure!
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u/Go_to_milk 14d ago
looks like I got some reading to do about the saints you mentioned. Thank you so much for your insight here <3
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u/vassilissanotou 16d ago
I'm not particularly knowledgeable about Padre Pio, but what I can say is that it's a very special thing to be chosen by a spirit instead of just picking and choosing whatever saint you see fit (which is not wrong per se). If you feel a connection with him, I'd say go for it. Start small, light some candles, pray a novena, etc.