Padre Pio Mysteriously Visits Child With Leukemia: The Little-Known Visions of an Anglican Boy

Michie · Sep 21, 2023

"That’s the man who comes to see me. That is Padre Pio."

Over the years, stories of the extraordinary miracles of Saint Padre Pio have spread from east to west, transforming the hearts and minds of many who hear of his phenomenal gifts, graces, powers, and unwavering faith.

But one story remains unsung: the story of Saint Padre Pio and young Brian.

The late Anne McGinn Cillis originally wrote this moving story in her book excerpt, "Brian: The Marvellous Story of Padre Pio and a Little Anglican Boy."

McGinn was one of Padre Pio’s spiritual daughters and a Canadian Catholic writer.

The power of relentless prayer

Young Brian was born to John and Maureen, a married Anglican couple living in Liverpool, England. Shortly after his birth, Brian was baptized a Christian in the Anglican church. He was always a joyful and vibrant child.

However, when Brian was two years old, life took an unexpected turn for this family.

During a two-week family vacation, Brian began looking fatigued and weak.

Eventually, the cause of Brian’s declining health was discovered: Brian had leukemia and only six months left to live.

Distressed and filled with utter anguish, Brian’s mother turned to prayer and frantically began asking her friends to pray for her son.

After praying the "Our Father" and learning how to say the "Hail Mary" for the first time, Brian’s mother made one final plea.

“Pat,” she said to an old girlfriend, “is there ANYBODY else we can pray to, as well?”

“Pray to Padre Pio,” she said.

It was 1971, and even though Padre Pio had died in 1968, stories of his miracles were spreading like wildfire.

“Who is Padre Pio?” Maureen asked. But her friend simply responded, “Just pray."

Maureen’s family did not pray and later expressed doubt regarding the supernatural.

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