Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey venerated the first-class relics of Padre Pio at St Mary’s Cathedral in October 2016. Photo: Ron Tan.
By Matthew Lau
The acclaimed relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina – colloquially known as Padre Pio – will return for a visit to the Archdiocese of Perth later this month.
The dates coincide with the 100th anniversary of his permanent stigmata apparition on 20 September 1918, and the 50th anniversary of his death on 23 September 1968.
When the Padre Pio relics visited Perth in 2016, the attraction drew more than 8500 people to St Mary’s Cathedral across its five-day programme.
Cathedral Dean Fr Sean Fernandez confirmed the announcement to The eRecord, noting the relics will include a pair of Padre Pio’s gloves, his hair, a piece of his nail, a scab from the stigmata, and a linen cloth that was used to wipe the blood from his side wound.
The first-class relics will be on display at St Mary’s from Saturday 22 September until Wednesday 26 September.
The Archdiocese of Perth is blessed to welcome the returning visitation of the relics of Saint Pio Pietrelcina this month. Photo: Ron Tan.
Fr Fernandez said it will be a pleasure for the iconic Cathedral to welcome the relics of Padre Pio once again.
“We are so aware of brokenness and failure in the life of the Church, but these relics speak of the power of the Spirit in his Church as well and of what God’s grace can do in the lives of those who respond to him with generosity.
“As the Catechism teaches, ‘the saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church’s history’,” Fr Fernandez explained.
“I invite people to come and pray in the presence of relics which, in some way, witness to the mercy and grace of God in the life of Padre Pio. Know that the Spirit who worked in Padre Pio’s life is at work in your life; be open to the presence of God.”
Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey will venerate the relics during 11am Solemn High Mass on 23 September.
St Pio of Pietrelcina, OFM Cap, was a Catholic friar and priest from the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.
Born Francesco Forgione on 25 May 1887, he became famous for exhibiting the stigmata for most of his life, thereby generating much interest and controversy.
Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1999, and later canonised him in 2002.
The body of St Padre Pio rests in a glass case during a service in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on 5 February 2016. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS.
On 3 March 2008, the body of Padre Pio was exhumed and placed on display for veneration, before being re-interred in 2010 at the Church of Saint Pio in a special golden crypt.
His remains were purposely placed in the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, where he ministered from 1916 until his death.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis venerated the relics of Padre Pio at his tomb in San Giovanni Rotondo on 17 March, before celebrating Mass with 30,000 faithful at Padre Pio’s shrine.
A full list of services during the visitation of the relics is below.
SCHEDULE
Saturday 22 September 2018
- 8am – Mass, Veneration of the Relics, followed by Reconciliation.
- 6pm – Mass, Veneration of the Relics, with Reconciliation from 5pm to 6pm.
Sunday 23 September 2018
- 8am – Mass and Blessing with the Relics.
- 9.30am – Mass and Blessing with the Relics.
- 11am – Solemn Mass with Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey and Veneration of the Relics.
- 5pm – Mass and Veneration of the Relics.
Monday 24 September 2018
- 8am – Mass, Veneration of the Relics followed by Reconciliation.
- 12.10pm – Mass, Veneration of the Relics, with Reconciliation from 11am to 12pm.
Tuesday 25 September 2018
- 8am – Mass, Veneration of the Relics followed by Reconciliation.
- 12.10pm – Mass, Veneration of the Relics, with Reconciliation from 11am to 12pm.
- 6pm – Mass (anointing of the Sick) and Veneration.
Wednesday 26 September 2018
- 8am – Mass, Veneration of the Relics followed by Reconciliation.
- 12.10pm – Mass, Veneration of the Relics, with Reconciliation from 11am to 12pm.
- 7.30pm – Novena, Benediction, and Veneration of the Relics.
For more information, visit: www.perthcatholic.org.au