EXCLUSIVE: Padre Pio relics coming to Perth
A woman prays at the glass case containing the body of St Padre Pio in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on 6 February 2016. The uncorrupted body of Padre Pio was brought to Rome at the request of Pope Francis for the Year of Mercy. Photo: CNS/Paul Haring
By Jamie O’Brien
The relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, also known as Padre Pio, are coming to St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth, this October.
Cathedral Dean Mgr Michael Keating confirmed the announcement to The eRecord, noting the relics will include a pair of Padre Pio’s gloves, his hair, a piece of his nails, a scab from the stigmata and a linen cloth that was used to wipe blood from his side wound.
The relics of St Pio of Pietrelcina, also known as Padre Pio, are coming to St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth, this October. Image: Supplied
The relics will be on display at the Cathedral from Saturday 22 October until Wednesday 26 October.
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, and dying on 23 September 1968, he became famous for exhibiting stigmata for most of his life, thereby generating much interest and controversy. He was beatified in 1999 and later canonised in 2002 by Pope John Paul II.
“This will be a very momentous occasion not just for Catholics across Perth, but for anyone who is interested in the life of Padre Pio,” Mgr Keating said.
“For many people, this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience, in faith, the life of Padre Pio.”
Mgr Keating told The eRecord that he personally met Padre Pio in 1965, when he visited the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy.
Visitation of the relics – which will only occur at St Mary’s Cathedral - are taking place courtesy of the request of St Mary’s Cathedral parishioner Patrizia DiStefano and Fr GianMaria Digiorgio, also a fellow friar and priest from the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.
Fr GianMaria, who is Economic Provincial of the Capuchin Friary of Santa Maria delle Grazie in San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy, was also a student of Padre Pio, who also later worked with him as a seminarian.
Fr GianMaria will speak about his work and the life of Padre Pio during the visitation of the relics.
More information will be available in coming weeks and a schedule of Mass times during the visitation of the relics is below.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, 22 October 2016
8.00AM – Mass, Veneration of the Relics and Reconciliation
3.00PM – Healing Mass and Reconciliation (includes Anointing of the Sick)
6PM – Mass, Veneration of the Relics and Reconciliation
Sunday, 23 October 2016
8AM – Mass and Blessing with the Relics
9.30AM – Mass and Blessing with the Relics
11.00AM – Mass by Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey
5.00PM – Mass and Veneration of the Relics
Monday, 24 October 2016
8.00AM - Mass, Veneration of the Relics and Reconciliation
12.10PM – Mass, Veneration of the Relics, Reconciliation and Rosary
Tuesday, 25 October 2016
8.00AM – Mass, Veneration with the Relics and Reconciliation
12.10PM – Mass, Veneration of the Relics, Reconciliation and Rosary
Wednesday, 26 October 2016
8.00AM – Mass, Veneration with the Relics and Reconciliation
12.10PM – Mass, Veneration of the Relics, Reconciliation and Rosary
7.30PM - Novena, Benediction and Veneration of the Relics