What I Learned (as a mother) from St. Padre Pio’s Spiritual Daughter

The Catholic Church really is a trove of treasures waiting to be fdiscovered and enjoyed. There are more saints than I could ever read about in this life, and even more holy people who literally walked with saints who have so much wisdom and inspiration to offer.

Here are 4 things that I learned from reading a new book, Padre Pio’s American Daughter by Susan de Bartoli from Sophia Institute Press, about St. Padre Pio’s spiritual daughter, Mary Pyle.

Who is Mary Pyle?

First, here is a little background on Mary Pyle:

• Mary Pyle was from a wealthy, New York family (she dined with Rockefellers, Morgans, and Carnegies).
• She was incredibly well-educated, and spoke multiple languages.
• She toured with the famous educator, Maria Montessori, as her translator and protoge.
• She was a Catholic convert who was deeply moved by experiencing Christ in the Eucharist in a Catholic Church as a young girl.
• She gave up her life of wealth, comfort, and prestige to humbly live in a small house at the bottom of a hill as one of St. Padre Pio’s closest confidant, friend, and support.
• She was single and became a lay Franciscan at St. Padre Pio’s direction.

What Can I Learn from a Lay Franciscan Who Assisted St. Padre Pio in a Small Town in Italy?

At a glance, my life looks very different from Mary Pyle’s. I am a wife and mother of many littles living in 2026. I stay home and homeschool my children. Mary lived in the early 1900’s, and gave up all of her material wealth and comforts to live down the hill from a literal saint, whom she assisted daily. However, we probaby have more in common than what is different.

Like Mary, I love our Lord and those around me deeply, I teach the Faith to children at our parish, I love having guests and showing them hospitality, I wish to live humbly and well, and I aim with all of my heart to do the will of God. I am also from New York. I also love St. Padre Pio. When I decided to leave my job and stay home to take care of my children and keep house for my husband, many people saw this decision as a “waste of my education, or, even as a failure to live up to their expectations. But, I know this is necessary work, and holy work, and Mary has strengthened this resolve in me.

In addition, the holy and humble Mary, it turns out, also has a lot to teach me. Even though she had no biological children, she was a spiritual mother to hundreds (mayeb thousands?) of people from all walks of life. As I read her story, I couldn’t help but want to imitate her loving and motherly qualities to those under my care in my own life.

Here are the lessons from Mary that I hope will always stick with me as a wife, a mother, a teacher, a daughter, a sister, and a friend.

Aim to do God’s Will at All Times

Mary is a phenomenal example of doing God’s will again and again without complaint – especially when it was hard.

She was raised with all of the fine clothes, jewelry, and pleasures that anyone could ever wish for. She toured the world with one of the most famous educators of all time. As she became more and more committed to our Lord, she realized that she would ultimately have to let this life fall away in order to do God’s will.

She aimed to do His will in her simple, small everyday homemaking tasks, and also in big ways such as caring for both of St. Padre Pio’s parents in her home so that he could be nearby them. She even oversaw the building of a monestary, and every person who knocked on her door was welcomed and cared for.

Commit to Simple Acts of Hospitality

I loved reading about her simple but loving acts of hospitality: a warm meal (even, simple bread and soup), a comfortable bed for a pilgrim, or a quiet prayer by a bedside. Hospitality was important for Mary, and it is important for me in my vocation. Her commitment to hospitality inspires me to keep folding the laundry, setting the table, lighting the candle, and praying the prayers for my loved ones.

Live Simply and Humbly

As I mentioned before, Mary grew up rich in material goods. She had access to the best education. She traveled the world. But, something was missing.

As she converted to Catholicism (and lost family members, including her mother, in the process), she slowly filled that void. She filled it with Our Lord. She gave up the riches and luxurious opportunuties for a humble house at the foot of a hill in a small town in Italy. To the world, it seemed like she had nothing of value, but in her heart, she knew she had found everything in Our Lord and in assisting the great saint, St. Padre Pio. Many people cirticized her for what she “gave up” and how she was living her new life. I will always be encouraged by Mary’s example of quiet humilty and strong faith.

Make Your Home a Sanctuary of Peace

One part of the book that still sticks out in my mind is how Mary guarded peace in her home. If any of her housemates fought, she begged them to stop fighting and to love each other. I love being reminded of this as little squabbles among my children break out. Mary’s example helps me to stay more calm and also urge my own family to choose peace.

Have you heard of Mary Pyle? She may also become a canonized saint someday, and I highly recommend looking into her story – especially if you are a wife and mother. In the mean time, we can still learn from her holy example, and I will be keeping my copy of her story close by to refer to when I need some instruction and encouragement.