New Book Release

Entitled Touched of a Living Saint of Pietrelcina….St. Padre Pio"

Written by a local resident and a volunteer at the Shrine, Joseph A Trapani

Inside facts of how and why the book was created.

The following are excerpts taken from recent book signing events;

I would like to start off with a few questions.

Q. How many people here, some day would like to write a book? Please raise your hand.

R. Very good. My suggestion to you is….. Do it! Follow your dream.

Q. Now, I would like to talk to the majority of you that did not raise their hand.

R. First of all, did you notice that I did not raise my hand?

I have many goals, but writing a book is not one of them. Writing a book is the furthest think in my mind.

Q. Then what would you say to a friend, if he asks you to help him write his memoirs. He is getting up in age (early 80's) and would like to have his encounters with Padre Pio written for his family and future generations?

Q. What would be your reply?

R. Probably, Yea! I will help you.

C. Then while writing the memoirs, a thought comes in your mind to make this into a book. Remember writing a book is not your idea or one of your goals.

Q. What would you say?

C. Later I paused to think, where did this idea of putting this in a book come from? I have no desire to write a book.

Then I asked myself, who puts thoughts in your mind? Does the Holy Spirit call you on the phone? Email you? Send a fax?

Q. Now, how would you respond?

R. I am certain that you now know what my answer was. Yes, and I did.

I wrote a true story about my friend Eube Cardone and his experiences with Padre Pio.

The book is called "Touched by a living Saint of Pietrelcina…..St. Padre Pio.

I felt that the Holy Spirit put this thought into my head to write this book so as to tell in common words how common local people were touched by Jesus through the powerful intercessions of St. Padre Pio.

I called 2 publishers in NYC and they wanted a lot of up front money to publish a book. So I decided to do it myself.

I went to a local printer, he wanted a lot of money to publish and print. After I complained so much, he said that he must be paid for his work. However, if I wanted to keep my costs down I would have to do most of the work and less for him.

I can type but, I am far from being called a typist. To my surprise, I typed the entire book, scanned in all the pictures and did all the layouts.

I gave him a CD of the entire book and all he had to do was put the CD in his computer to make printing plates and run.

Yes, I had some mortal help, but I feel that I had help in my thoughts and my typing fingers that I can not explain.

My step daughter-in-law, Carmele, who is an artist and mother of five, found time to sketch the cover. We decided that since Padre Pio lived a simple and humble life the cover should reflect this simplicity.

The book is divided into 3 segments; (1) the true life story of Eube Cardone, (2) About the St Padre Pio Shrine in Landisville, NJ, and (3) Prayer book of the prayers recited every Wednesday Evening at the St. Padre Pio Shrine by the Prayer Group.

The proceeds from the sale of this book shall be donated to St. Padre Pio Shrine in Landisville, NJ.

About the book;
A true life story of Eube Cardone, as a young boy in Italy was dying of pneumonia, bronchitis and a very high fever. This one night, the doctor told his mother that he would not make it through the night. His mother prayed to Padre Pio to save her son.

• Born in Pietrelcina, Italy
• Saved by Padre Pio
• Met Padre Pio before leaving for America
• Padre Pio never met him before and called him by his name when they first met
• His parents were fortunate to received pillows fro Padre Pio's bed.
• Since his wife Mary's death, he gives out feathers from these pillows.
• I am fortunate to be one of the few people along with priests that he gives these feathers to distribute to people as a symbol of Hope.
• I make prayer cards which contain these feathers.
• Today, I have a prayer card for each book that we sell as long as the supply last.
• In the book. He talks about the people that he has met and stays in contact. They all had encounters and miracles from Padre Pio.
• Eubie has introduced me to all these people which we talk on the phone.
• Giacoma who was born in Brooklyn and as a little boy was in a coma for several months, and was also saved by Padre Pio. Similar to Eube's. Both occurred in Italy.
• Diane Allen of San Diego, CA. Where she and her husband are founders of a large Padre Pio Prayer Group. She tells how the featers form Padre Pio's pillow helped people.

There are Local stories about;

• Trish Avena, who had cervical cancer and was pregnant and was told by Doctors to abort or she and the baby will die. Thru her strong faith she had the baby, Madison Pio Avena. The cancer stayed dormant all thru the pregnancy and later removed. Today she is cancer free.
• Madison's picture is in the book, dressed in a Christening outfit.
• Christine Zueno had an incurable cancer, she prayed to Jesus, the Blessed Mother, Padre Pio and to St Michael to wrap his wings around her and protect her from this cancer. While at the Shrine praying Pearl Giordano took her picture and when developed white images like wings are on her back. This picture is in the book.
• Dian Sacco meets Padre Pio, did not know him and he has been dead since 1968.
• Jackie Greer, found the blood scab of Padre Pio. In open air and not contained in any air proof container. The blood scab from his stigmata still in tack.
• Leo Fanning and his friend Joe were soldiers in 2nd WW became good friends with Pare Pio. Padre Pio told Leo that after the war he would become a Priest. He is retired now and has been a priest for more than 50 years.
• I talked and met Fr Fanning he tells stories of he and Joe taking people down a mountain in an Army jeep.
• I had book singing at several parishes in Vineland, NJ and Philadelphia, PA and we were well received.
• On behalf of Eube and myself, recently we presented the founders of St. Padre Pio Shrine in Landisville, NJ a check for $1,000.00 donation. This was profits attained from the sale of our book. We hope that there will be many more.

I hope you enjoy reading the book and while reading the book you can experience being touched by Jesus thru the intercession of St. Padre Pio.

I received many positive responses to the book. Here is one that touches me the most.

I received a letter for "K" in Texas. She writes, "While I was in New Jersey I visited the Shrine and prayed on the glove relic and I purchased your book in the gift shop. After reading your book I reflected on my life and I must admit my religion and prayer have slipped greatly, but your book has brought me back to my religion and prayer being number one in my life again. Also, I have a friend who is suffering from Alzheimer; please send him a prayer card and a copy of your book. Enclosed is my check. Thanks "K"

To order your book, please see the order form below.

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Order Form
You may want to order this spiritually inspired book as a gift for your relatives or friends.

By doing so you will be donating to the St. Padre Pio Shrine, as all proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Shrine.

Price $12.95 per book plus shipping & handling.

Number of books _______ X $12.95 = $_________
Plus S & H $_________
Total Amount $_________
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S& H chart; 1 book $4.00; 2 books $7.00
3 books$10.00; 4 books $13.00

Please print clear

Name; First_______________ Last_______________________

Address: __________________________________ House number Street Apt#

Address:________________ ______ _________
City State Zip

Telephone # _(_______)- _____-___________
Area code
Make checks payable to;
Joseph A. Trapani, publisher

Mail check and order form to;
Joseph A. Trapani
553 W Oak Road
Vineland, NJ 08360

Phone 856-691-2633

Visit the Shrine Website at www.padrepioshrine.org