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Cathedral of St. John Berchmans to Host Relics of St. Padre Pio
BY CHERYL H. WHITE, PH.D.
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THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN BERCHMANS will host the relics of St. Padre Pio on Monday, November 14 and Tuesday, November 15. The relics are cared for by the Saint Pio Foundation in New York, and include both first- and second-class relics – crusts of his wounds, a piece of his mantel, gauze with his blood stains (from his stigmata wounds), a handkerchief that belonged to him, and a lock of his hair. The reliquaries are beautiful and will make for a very inspiring display in our Cathedral.
WHO IS ST. PADRE PIO? St. Padre Pio (Francesco Forgione) was born in 1887 to peasant farmers in Pietrelcina, Italy. He entered the Franciscan Capuchin order at the age of 15 and began studying for the priesthood, taking the name of “Pio” in honor of Pope Pius I. He quickly became known for his piety and dedication to the Eucharist. St. Padre Pio received the mystical stigmata in 1916 (bleeding from the wounds of Christ), a phenomenon that has been well-documented by numerous witnesses, medical experts, and affirmed by the Vatican. Furthermore, he became known for other extraordinary spiritual gifts, including reports of his ability to “bilocate” and having detailed knowledge of the sins of penitents in the confessional. Interest in Padre Pio’s life made him internationally known during his lifetime, and his piety and charity inspired many. In 1947, a Polish priest, Father Karol Wojtyla, visited Padre Pio, who told him he would rise to the highest office in the Church. Indeed, in 1978, Father Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope John Paul II. Padre Pio died in 1968, and was canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II, whose rise to the papacy was prophetically foretold. One of St. Padre Pio’s most famous inspirational messages to the world was a simple yet profound admonition to “pray, hope, and don’t worry.”
WHY DO CATHOLICS VENERATE RELICS?
The beautiful practice of venerating (honoring) relics of saints is an ancient devotion in the Church, dating to the time of the Apostles and the early martyrs. Such veneration is an expression of our Incarnational theology, consistent with Catholic teaching that God fully fused Himself with His creation. We honor the dignity and sanctity of all human life, and reserve special honor for those who led extraordinary lives of holiness. Across the centuries, Christians have venerated relics as a way of contemplating the greatest Divine mysteries.
TIMES FOR VENERATION
The relics of St. Padre Pio will be available for public veneration in the Cathedral on Monday, November 14 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon following the school Masses, and again from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Following a 5:30 p.m. Mass in honor of St. Padre Pio, there will be a special presentation on relics and the mystical stigmata in the Cathedral, followed by more time for public veneration from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. The relics will be available again for veneration on Tuesday, November 15 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, and from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Following Tuesday’s Mass at 5:30 p.m. there will be a second presentation on the extraordinary life of St. Padre Pio, with reflections offered by Fr. Raney Johnson and Sister AnnaMaria Iannetti. This is a diocesan event, and all are welcome from the surrounding community. Groups planning pilgrimages, including school groups, should contact the Cathedral (Dr. Cheryl White) at 318-221-5296, or by emailing cwhite@ sjbcathedral.org.
