Religious Education

The Forgione family was deeply devout, as was much of the small town of Pietrelcina, where liturgical observances were upheld with great care. Christmas, in particular, was celebrated with heartfelt customs and beloved traditions. The saints were also honored with public festivities, most notably the celebration of the Madonna della Libera, the patroness of Pietrelcina, on the first Sunday of August.

From an early age, little Francesco was naturally immersed in this profoundly religious environment. Neighbors recalled how, as a child, he would eagerly plead with his grandmother to take him to church whenever the bells rang for a service. He continued to attend faithfully, participating in catechism lessons and later receiving his First Communion and Confirmation. He also served as an altar boy, distinguishing himself from other children with his deep devotion and enthusiasm for spiritual matters.

Francesco had a particularly sensitive soul when it came to moral conduct. Hearing blasphemy or foul language visibly unsettled him, leaving him distressed and even fearful. While playing in the countryside with other young shepherds, including his cousin and neighbor Mercurio Scocca, Francesco often took the lead in organizing "processions," crafting small figurines out of clay to use in their games.