Franciscan Defeats Entire Bomber Squadron

Short Summary: During World War II, American pilots reported seeing a "monk" in the sky who prevented their bombs from falling, later recognizing Padre Pio as the figure.

Details

Location: San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy

Year: 1943

Prayer: Lord God, You gave us Padre Pio as an example of profound virtue and surrender to your will. Help us to be more like him as we venture into deeper prayer and communion with you. Provide us the grace to let go of our big selves, so that our littleness may become known to us like it did for Padre Pio. In this, allow your greatness to take over and do wonderful things in us! Amen.

Verse: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. -Eph 6:10-12

Full Story

After Italy signed an armistice during World War II, Italian pilots began collaborating with American and British forces to bomb German outposts. During operations near San Giovanni Rotondo, several airmen, including General Bernardo Rosini, reported seeing a mysterious “monk” in the sky, preventing them from dropping bombs. Despite their disbelief, the pilots repeatedly encountered this figure, described as a friar with his hands raised. Skeptical of these reports, U.S. General Nathan F. Twining decided to personally lead a bombing mission. As the squadron neared its target, both Twining and his men witnessed the same monk-like figure in the sky. Miraculously, the bombs malfunctioned, dropping harmlessly into the nearby forest, and the planes turned back without pilot intervention. After the war, the American pilots learned about Padre Pio, a friar known for his extraordinary spiritual gifts, who lived near the area of the sightings. Curious, some of the airmen visited his monastery, and upon seeing Padre Pio, they immediately recognized him as the monk they had seen in the sky. During their meeting, Padre Pio humorously remarked, “So, you are the ones who wanted to kill us all!”

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