September 23 is the feast of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, popularly known as Padre Pio. Padre Pio was a Capuchin priest who is famous because his body was marked by the wounds of Christ. Saint Francis of Assisi, whose feast is October 4, is the first person in history to be marked with the wounds of Christ. By this phenomenon, the stigmata, God chooses certain persons to be living icons of the suffering of Christ.

Padre Pio was known as a holy man, a man of prayer. He spent long hours in the confessional and was much sought after as a spiritual guide. Perhaps because of his own suffering, he was sensitive to the sufferings of others. He raised the money to build a large hospital the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (the House for the Relief of Suffering). The name of the institution indicates Padre Pio’s desire to relieve suffering in others.

Padre Pio is also known for his charism of intercession and for the many miracles that were granted through his intercession before God.

In our lower church, we have a magnificent carved statue of Padre Pio. Each Friday after all Masses, we pray a prayer written by Padre Pio and these present are given the opportunity to venerate a glove worn by Padre Pio.

This weekend, September 23-24, we will pray the prayer of Padre Pio after all Sunday Masses and the glove will be available for veneration.