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Reviewed by David Jaggart for Readers' Favorite
Carry the Cross with Padre Pio by Susan De Bartoli is a Catholic daily devotional meant for the Lenten season. The book is set up by weeks and days, slowly guiding the reader through Lent using reflections taken from the life of St. Padre Pio. Each day focuses on topics like suffering, prayer, confession, trusting God, devotion to Mary, and leaning on guardian angels. The reflections tie Padre Pio’s own struggles to the everyday challenges regular believers tend to experience. As the weeks go by, the tone shifts from self-reflection and endurance toward hope and renewal. The book encourages readers to unite their struggles with Christ and remain faithful through difficult life moments. It reminds us that faith is often lived through perseverance and our full reliance on God.
Carry the Cross with Padre Pio by Susan De Bartoli is rooted in the spiritual life of a well-known saint. The author's sincere approach makes it easy to read without feeling overwhelmed. The language is inspiring, allowing Padre Pio’s words to guide the message home into our hearts, the more we sit with it. I found the author's writings on suffering, confession, and prayer honest and caring. This writing style made her reflections easier to absorb emotionally and visualize mentally. The author does not rush the reader toward Easter joy but also makes space for hardships and personal growth along the way. I liked how faithfulness to God is woven into the general message. Overall, it’s the kind of book that meets the reader where they are at and asks them to keep going, one day at a time.
