St. Padre Pio

What an extraordinary contemporary Franciscan Saint we have in St. Padre Pio. Until his death in 1968, he set a living example of prayer and hope for all who knew him. Although he never traveled, tens of thousands came from all over the world to seek his counsel and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation from him.

He was a down-to-earth, practical man of God who often said the key to happiness is to "Pray, hope, and don't worry." These simple words but wisdom for those of us so wrapped up and nervous in this dangerous and shallow world.

In one of the largest liturgies in the Vatican’s history, Pope John Paul II canonized Padre Pio on June 16, 2002. During his homily, Pope John Paul recalled how, in 1947, as a young priest, he journeyed from Poland to make his confession to Padre Pio. “Prayer and charity–this is the most concrete synthesis of Padre Pio’s teaching,” the Pope said.

Drawing approximately eight million pilgrims each year, San Giovanni Rotondo, where St. Pio lived and is now buried, is second only to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico in its number of annual visitors.

St. Pio’s whole life might be summed up in the words of St. Paul to the Colossians, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church.”

St. Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us.

Most Holy Redeemer was a very special place on the evening of July 28th. The message is "Pray, hope, and don't worry!" in the words of St. Padre Pio, as delivered by both our pastor, Father Carina, in his homily at the Mass, and by Franciscan Father John Aurilia, Padre Pio's personal secretary, in his riveting talk after Mass.

You could have heard a pin drop during the entire evening, such was the impact the retelling of St. Padre Pio's life had, as delivered with enthusiasm and endearing humor by Father John.

The effects of this blessed event will surely touch the lives of thousands as each person who was there will relay their impressions to friends and family. If you were not fortunate enough to be there, you need to find someone who was there and ask them about it. It will be well worth your time.

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