«We welcome people of all sexes, ages, origins and social class that live in suffering, solitude and marginalisation, to give them comfort, hope and faith in the future».
Like the intentions of its founder Irene Gaeta and according to its charter written by Father Gerardo De Flumeri, Vice-postulate for the beatification and canonisation of Padre Pio, the Private Association of the Faithful “I Discepoli di Padre Pio” was founded in 2003 to spread the spirituality and teachings of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, accomplishing various missions of faith according to the principles of Catholic doctrine and Franciscan spirituality.
The Private Association of the Faithful “I Discepoli di Padre Pio” and the movement which the same represents, were recognised by the Church pursuant to the Code of Canon Law with decree no. 73/03 by Cardinal and Archbishop His Eminence Camillo Ruini, Vicar General to His Holiness John Paul II in the diocese of Rome.
In April 2016, the eponymous Association was established, governed by the Italian Civil Code and obtaining legal recognition in accordance with the Italian Presidential Decree no. 361 of 10 February 2000, (“Regolamento recante norme per la semplificazione dei procedimenti di riconoscimento di persone giuridiche private e di approvazione delle modifiche dell’atto costitutivo e dello statuto”), and was listed in the Register of legal entities at the Roma Prefecture under no. 1146/2016.
In December 2018, the Private Association of the Faithful, which is a body of the Diocese of Rome, was granted permission to perform its activities also in the archdiocese of Cosenza-Bisignano.
The association is the working instrument of the religious movement which aims to accommodate and care for the suffering, the lonely and the marginalised of all faiths to give them more hope in the future.
As of March 29, 2023, the company name of the organization has changed from “ASSOCIAZIONE I DISCEPOLI DI PADRE PIO“, to “FONDAZIONE I DISCEPOLI DI PADRE PIO“.