Pio was an aged man, he was quoted as having told others an extraordinary woman would soon visit him. “There is a young woman who is going to come from South America. When I leave, she will be your consolation.”
Maria was led of the Spirit to travel to San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy to meet Padre Pio. Upon arriving, there were throngs of people wanting to see Padre Pio, but, knowing in the spirit that his special visitor had just arrived, he cried out, “Esperanza!”
On September 23, 1968, Maria had a vision of Padre Pio. “Esperanza,” he said in the vision, “I have come to say goodbye. My time has come. It is your turn.” The next day, Maria and her husband saw in the newspaper that Padre Pio (whose funeral would be attended by more than a million people) had died. Maria’s life and miracle ministry bear a remarkable resemblance to the godly man whose mantle she inherited. Her close walk with God has manifested a life of unusual signs and wonders. There have been times when friends have volunteered to wash and dry her clothes to help free her up that she might have more time in prayer. Often when pulling her clothes out of the dryer, they would discover that hundreds of fresh rose petals had appeared in the dryer! 5
In looking at these examples of mantles that were passed from one individual to another, there is a very important truth that I want you to see. This truth is that when a ministry is birthed by God, it is always His desire to see this type of ministry remain in the earth until the Lord returns. The individual that God started the ministry through can only remain for a limited time before his or her life on earth is complete. The Lord is looking for men and women who will be willing to take up the mantle that God has for them and run the course that He has charted for their lives.
Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929) and Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj —Sadhu Sundar Singh was India’s foremost Christian “Sadhu” (“Sadhu” means teacher) of the early 20 th century. Brother Singh was a man much like Enoch who walked very close to the Lord. He was affectionately known around theworld as the “apostle of the bleeding feet,” because the soles of his feet were often covered in bloody blisters from all the walking he did while spreading the Gospel.
Sundar Singh was raised a devout Sikh, and was consecrated from his youth to become a Hindu Sadhu. His mother admonished him to become a Hindu Sadhu, saying, “Do not be selfish and materialistic like your brothers, but seek for your peace of mind and hold steadily onto your faith. Be a sadhu.” From the age of seven and onward Sundar Singh devoured the teachings of the Sikh and Hindu teachers. He learned the Hindu teachings of yoga, mastered Vedas (the ancient Hindu teachings) and also studied the Qur’an. He was often taken by his mother into the rainforest to be instructed by a Hindu Sadhu. Yet having studied so diligently he still felt a great lack of inward peace which he hoped his religion would offer.
Sundar’s mother died when he was 14 years old. This was very difficult for him. His mother had previously placed him in a school run by British missionaries. It was here that he was first exposed to the Bible. Upon his mother’s death he reached a great despair, often reflected in angry outbursts. He publicly tore and burned a Bible page by page, and even threw stones at local missionaries and preachers. He even contemplated suicide, hoping that he would somehow find true peace through the Hindu teaching of reincarnation.
Shortly after he had burned the Bible, he awoke at 3:00 A.M. for his ritualistic bath in the courtyard observed by devoted Hindus and Sikhs. Upon returning to his room he had a dramaticencounter with the Lord Jesus Christ through a vision. The experience was so overwhelming it completely changed his life. He had finally discovered the source of all true peace and joy. Brother Singh dedicated his heart fully to the Lord. Despite
Maria was led of the Spirit to travel to San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy to meet Padre Pio. Upon arriving, there were throngs of people wanting to see Padre Pio, but, knowing in the spirit that his special visitor had just arrived, he cried out, “Esperanza!”
On September 23, 1968, Maria had a vision of Padre Pio. “Esperanza,” he said in the vision, “I have come to say goodbye. My time has come. It is your turn.” The next day, Maria and her husband saw in the newspaper that Padre Pio (whose funeral would be attended by more than a million people) had died. Maria’s life and miracle ministry bear a remarkable resemblance to the godly man whose mantle she inherited. Her close walk with God has manifested a life of unusual signs and wonders. There have been times when friends have volunteered to wash and dry her clothes to help free her up that she might have more time in prayer. Often when pulling her clothes out of the dryer, they would discover that hundreds of fresh rose petals had appeared in the dryer! 5
In looking at these examples of mantles that were passed from one individual to another, there is a very important truth that I want you to see. This truth is that when a ministry is birthed by God, it is always His desire to see this type of ministry remain in the earth until the Lord returns. The individual that God started the ministry through can only remain for a limited time before his or her life on earth is complete. The Lord is looking for men and women who will be willing to take up the mantle that God has for them and run the course that He has charted for their lives.
Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929) and Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj —Sadhu Sundar Singh was India’s foremost Christian “Sadhu” (“Sadhu” means teacher) of the early 20 th century. Brother Singh was a man much like Enoch who walked very close to the Lord. He was affectionately known around theworld as the “apostle of the bleeding feet,” because the soles of his feet were often covered in bloody blisters from all the walking he did while spreading the Gospel.
Sundar Singh was raised a devout Sikh, and was consecrated from his youth to become a Hindu Sadhu. His mother admonished him to become a Hindu Sadhu, saying, “Do not be selfish and materialistic like your brothers, but seek for your peace of mind and hold steadily onto your faith. Be a sadhu.” From the age of seven and onward Sundar Singh devoured the teachings of the Sikh and Hindu teachers. He learned the Hindu teachings of yoga, mastered Vedas (the ancient Hindu teachings) and also studied the Qur’an. He was often taken by his mother into the rainforest to be instructed by a Hindu Sadhu. Yet having studied so diligently he still felt a great lack of inward peace which he hoped his religion would offer.
Sundar’s mother died when he was 14 years old. This was very difficult for him. His mother had previously placed him in a school run by British missionaries. It was here that he was first exposed to the Bible. Upon his mother’s death he reached a great despair, often reflected in angry outbursts. He publicly tore and burned a Bible page by page, and even threw stones at local missionaries and preachers. He even contemplated suicide, hoping that he would somehow find true peace through the Hindu teaching of reincarnation.
Shortly after he had burned the Bible, he awoke at 3:00 A.M. for his ritualistic bath in the courtyard observed by devoted Hindus and Sikhs. Upon returning to his room he had a dramaticencounter with the Lord Jesus Christ through a vision. The experience was so overwhelming it completely changed his life. He had finally discovered the source of all true peace and joy. Brother Singh dedicated his heart fully to the Lord. Despite
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