something to say when her mother asked her opinion, she decided to read one page. Ortrud opened the pamphlet to Jesus’ invitation for every soul, no matter how sinful, to draw close to His merciful heart. Unexpectedly, the doors of Ortrud’s soul flung open. “I was instantly converted,” she said. “I never looked back.” A father’s example Meanwhile, halfway across the world in Yonkers, New York, Germain Bianchi and his family faced their own challenges. Germain’s oldest brother suffered from schizophrenia, and the doctor told his parents that they had caused the illness by forcing their children to pray the Rosary. Germain’s father told him, “If I had my life to live over again, I would become a Catholic psychiatrist!” “Well,” thought Germain, “I do have my life to live, and I will become a Catholic psychiatrist.” Germain completed the required premedicine courses, but his grades were not high enough for acceptance into any American medical school. Because of his family’s Italian heritage, Germain decided to apply to medical school in Italy. He was accepted and began his studies in Rome. Meeting Padre Pio When Ortrud and her mother made their own journey to Rome from their home in Austria, it was to attend the wedding of Ortrud’s brother. But the necessary paperwork had been lost. “Everyone was devastated,” she recalls. Ortrud’s mother suggested they redeem the trip by driving to San Giovanni Rotondo to see a priest she had heard about. His name was Padre Pio; he bore the stigmata and could read souls. The others agreed. Ortrud came away from Padre Pio’s Mass in the church of Our Lady of Grace thinking it was a shame that people crowded the feeble old priest instead of focusing on Jesus in the Eucharist. She doubted she would ever make a return visit to San Giovanni Rotondo. Two years later, however, Ortrud reluctantly agreed to accompany her mother on a second pilgrimage. This time, Padre Pio placed his hand on Ortrud’s head in blessing. Ortrud instantly felt a powerful bond form between herself and the man she would henceforth consider her spiritual father. She finally understood. The people jostling endlessly around Padre Pio were not pestering an old man while disregarding Jesus; rather, they were following a holy priest as he led them to Jesus. On a later trip to San Giovanni Rotondo, Ortrud insisted on staying behind, despite having no money for food, lodging, or travel home. After the church doors were locked, Ortrud stood alone in the darkening street, wondering where she could go. Soon she was approached by a young American man. It was Germain Bianchi. He had learned about Padre Pio from a neighbor back in Yonkers and had come to see the priest during a vacation from medical school. Upon hearing Ortrud’s plight, Germain found a place for her to stay and brought her food. When Ortrud found a ride back to Austria, she arranged for Germain to come along as far as Rome. Ortrud asked Germain to pray a Rosary with her in the car, and when it was time to part ways, Germain gave her his card and placed his hand on her shoulder. “I experienced the exact same powerful feeling as when Padre Pio put his hand on my head,” she says. Germain decided on that drive that he had found his wife — the first woman who had ever invited him to pray a Rosary with her. Later he asked Padre Pio’s advice, and the saintly priest said, “Marry her.” Pios and Pias Now married 57 years, Germain and Ortrud taught their eight children to regard Padre Pio as a spiritual father. Each has the middle name of Pio or Pia, and the couple’s very parenting was influenced by their acquaintance with the saint. Padre Pio wanted only that his spiritual children get to Heaven; he “never tried to take away crosses,” but told everyone what he or she most needed to hear, even sending pilgrims out of the confessional if they were immodestly dressed. Likewise, Ortrud and Germain prioritized their children’s souls above all. “I didn’t hope that they would be great musicians or great athletes or make a lot of money,” Ortrud says. “I just wanted them to love Jesus and His Blessed Mother.” And when struggles came, Ortrud told her children, “You can do this. Just keep going. Trust God. He’s a father seeing us through all difficulties.” Indeed, Germain and Ortrud know from experience that God’s greatest blessings often come through those very difficulties. And sometimes, through the help and friendship of a saint. ‘Marry her,’ Padre Pio told Germain. And he did. Marian Helper • Winter 2025-26 • Marian.org 5
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