For the first time in the United States, Catholics will have the opportunity to venerate the full-size habit worn by St. Pio of Pietrelcina, popularly known as Padre Pio.
This unique occasion will take place October 11-14 at the National Padre Pio Center, located in Barto, Pennsylvania, within the Diocese of Allentown.
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A group of Italian Capuchin friars from the convent of Our Lady of Grace in San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy will bring the habit to be displayed at the national center, which has been designated as a jubilee site within the diocese.
“This unprecedented visit by the friars of San Giovanni Rotondo is an extraordinary opportunity to share a rare and intimate relic of Padre Pio with their devotees,” said Vera Marie Calandra, vice president of the center. on the institution’s website.
“We look forward to welcoming pilgrims from all over the United States, and we will be prepared to make your visit a special moment of veneration, prayer and reflection.”
The weekend of celebrations will begin on Saturday, October 11, with a Mass presided over by the Capuchin friars of San Giovanni Rotondo. After the Mass, a procession will take place in honor of Padre Pio.
On Sunday, October 12, a Mass followed by a procession will also be celebrated. On October 13, Bishop Emeritus of Harrisburg, Bishop Ronald Gainer, will celebrate a Mass in English, followed by a Mass in Italian presided over by the friars.
The Bishop of Allentown, Bishop Alfred Schlert, will celebrate Mass on October 14, followed by another Mass in Italian presided over by the friars.
“We could not be more excited to have the opportunity to welcome Father (Francesco) Dileo and other friars from the convent of Our Lady of Grace, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, along with these rare and precious relics,” said Nick Gibboni, executive director of the National Padre Pio Center.
“We continue to be greatly blessed to maintain a close relationship with the friar brothers of Padre Pio, and we are very pleased to continue strengthening this bond.”
In addition to their visit to the national center, the friars will take the habit to the Padre Pio Foundation of America, in Cromwell, Connecticut. The habit will be available for veneration at St. Pius X Church in Middletown, Connecticut, from October 15 to 18.
Padre Pio was a Capuchin friar, priest and mystic of the 20th century. He is known for his profound wisdom on prayer and peace, for having received the stigmata, the miraculous accounts of his bilocation, the physical attacks of the devil, and his mastery of the spiritual life.
His tomb is located in the Sanctuary of Saint Mary of Graces, in San Giovanni Rotondo (Italy).
Translated and adapted by ACI Prensa. Originally published in CNA.
Francesca Purchio Fenton
Francesca Pollio Fenton is the Social Media Manager at Catholic News Agency. He received his bachelor’s degree in Communications with an emphasis in Digital Media from the University of Colorado, Denver (United States).