Mangaluru: Annual Feast of St Padre Pio on Sep 25

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 23, 2016: As per a media note received,  the Capuchin Father’s at St.Anne’s Friary, Jail Road, Kodialbail inform that the Feast of St.Padr Pio for 2016, is to be celebrated at the Shrine on Jail Road near "Pio Mall" on September 25, Sunday, though the actual feast day is Sept 23. 

On the Feast day, Sunday Sept 25, there will be a relic procession at 5.15 pm followed by solemn celebration and Mass at 6 pm; all devotees are welcome.

Note : On Sept 24, Saturday, at 11.am....a special mass and prayer for the sick and aged will be held.


St. Padre Pio

Pio of Pietrelcina O.F.M. Cap. commonly known as St Padre Pio, (May 25, 1887 – September 23, 1968) was a friar, priest, stigmatic, and mystic of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. Padre Pio became famous for bearing the stigmata for most of his life, which generated much interest and controversy around him. He is now venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Pio was born Francesco Forgione, and given the name of Pius (Italian: Pio) when he joined the Capuchins. After his beatification in 1999, he was canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II on June 16, 2002.

In Mangalore, devotion to St.Padre Pio has grown tremendously in the last few years. A shrine dedicated to the saint is at Jail Road, near the Pio Mall,  now a place of pilgrimage. A life like replica of his body preserved in Italy attracts the people of Mangalore and surrounding areas. People who pray to this saint feel they receive miracles.