Mein Weg zu Padre Pio

Markus Timo Rüegg grew up in Benken in the canton of St. Gallen. In "My Journey to Padre Pio," he describes his childhood and youth. As the son of a teacher, he had to attend primary school for two years with his own father. The familial and societal pressure in the small village in the Linth area became too great for him early on. He attended the monastery school in Näfels in the canton of Glarus for three years. He was expected to become a pastor or at least a teacher. But Markus Timo rebelled. In 1980, his parents sent him on a pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo in Southern Italy, hoping for improvement. There, instead of going to mass, he went to the Padre Pio church, explored the village, and met Anna Pia. He promised her he would return. A few months later, at the age of 16, he left his parents' home in Benken and was untraceable for four months. During this time in San Giovanni Rotondo, he made a living as a football player, facade painter, and assistant winemaker. "My Journey to Padre Pio" is a fascinating and exciting life story that is enjoyable for both young people and adults. The work will also be published in Italian in spring 2020.