Relics of the renowned 20th century mystic and healer, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina – better known as Padre Pio – will be touring several Archdioceses and Dioceses in the United States of America, between May 6 and May 21, and from September 16 to October 1, 2017.
The relics will be on display to the public between liturgical celebrations in the following Archdioceses and Dioceses:
- • May 6, 7, and 8, 2017, at Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
- • May 9, 2017, at Saint Paul Cathedral in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
- • May 10 and 11, 2017, at Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in the Archdiocese of Denver.
- • May 13, 2017, at Cathedral of the Risen Christ in the Diocese of Lincoln.
- • May 18 and 19, 2017, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
- • May 20 and 21, 2017, at Saint Ann Catholic Church in the Diocese of Arlington.
- • September 17 and 18, 2017, at St. Patrick Cathedral in the Archdiocese of New York.
- • September 20, 2017, at Cathedral St. Joseph the Workman in the Diocese of La Crosse.
- • September 20, 2017, at Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
- • September 22 and 23, 2017, at Basilica of St. John the Baptism in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
- • September 24, 2017, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
- • September 29, 2017, at Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in the Diocese of Saginaw.
For more information related to each public veneration, please, contact the local Cathedral/Basilica/Church. Additional locations and dates will be communicated at a later time.
The Saint Pio Foundation, which is sponsoring the tour on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of Padre Pio’s birth, and the 15th anniversary of his canonization, will sell books and items related to Padre Pio in the entryway of each Cathedral, Basilica and/or Church.
St. Pio was born on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy, and baptized Francesco Forgione. He first expressed his desire for priesthood at age 10. In order to pay for the preparatory education, his father, Grazio Forgione, emigrated in the United States on 1899, where he worked for several years.
The future saint entered the Capuchin order at age 15, taking the name Pio. He was ordained a priest in 1910 at the age of 23. During his lifetime, Padre Pio was known as a mystic with miraculous powers of healing and knowledge, who bore the stigmata. Stigmata is the term the Catholic Church uses to speak about the wounds an individual receives that correspond to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ. They can appear on the forehead, hands, wrists, and feet.
His stigmata emerged during World War I, after Pope Benedict XV asked Christians to pray for an end to the conflict. Padre Pio had a vision in which Christ pierced his side. A few weeks later, on September 20, 1918, Jesus again appeared to him, and he received the full stigmata. It remained with him until his death on September 23, 1968.
Pope John Paul II canonized him in 2002.
In the Catholic Church, relics are physical objects associated with a saint or candidate for sainthood – part of the person’s body or something with which he or she was in contact. Relics are not worshiped, but treated with religious respect. Touching or praying in the presence of such an object helps a faithful individual focus on the saint’s life and virtues, so that through the saint’s prayer or intercession before God, the individual will be drawn closer to God.
More information about St. Pio is at https://www.saintpiofoundation.org. The Saint Pio Foundation promotes awareness of St. Pio and his mission by working with institutions and individuals who share the same vision to serve “those in need of relief of suffering.” Funds raised by the Saint Pio Foundation are used to provide grants to American Catholic healthcare, educational, social, religious, and cultural partner organizations. The Saint Pio Foundation is also committed to support the work of the Capuchin Friars Minor of Pietrelcina, Italy, where Saint Pio was born.
From Saint Pio Foundation.
I liked this article and especially the explanation of the role of relics in our Faith, which is often misunderstood. I guess I would add that the practice stems from the practice of hidden masses in the catechombs amidst the graves of those who had died in faith and those who had died for the faith.
the most astounding padre pio miracle of healing is recounted in thebelfasttelegraph.co.uk, oct 31, 2007 edition in which a clinically dead woman is restored to complete health through the presence of padre pio’s glove. this miracle was investigated and was used as a proof=case for his canonization. the glove was kept at the northern ireland padre pio cente, established in faith before sainthood officially determined. the presence of his relics on this ‘tour might be part of answers to prayers.
Miracle worker! Saint!