September 23 is the feast day of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, one of the most popular saints in the Philippines.
One proof of Padre Pio's popularity in the country is the successful visit of his incorrupt heart relics to the Philippines in 2018.
Padre Pio's heart relic arrived in the Philippines on October 6, 2018 and stayed in the country for 20 days.
Among the places where Padre Pio's heart was venerated were: the Manila Cathedral; the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, the oldest Catholic university in Asia, and the National Shrine of Padre Pio in Santo Tomas, Batangas.
The Union of Catholic Asian News reported that some 30,000 people lined up to venerate Padre Pio's relic in UST alone.
Thousands also flocked to the Manila Cathedral, which remained open for 24 hours during the visit there of Padre Pio's relic from October 8-11, 2018.
Meanwhile, on Padre Pio's feast day this year, Father Reginald Malicdem, Rector of the Manila Cathedral, said they were overwhelmed by the number of people -- "hundreds of thousands" -- who flocked to the church to venerate the heart relic of the Italian saint.
In his homily, Father Malicdem said, "Hindi namin inaasahan na ganun karami ang taong darating. Magdamag bukas ang Manila Cathedral kasi hindi nauubos ang mga tao. Galing sa iba't ibang lugar, pumipila dito ng lima, pito, walong oras, para lamang sa ilang sandali na makalapit sa heart relic ni Padre Pio."
Father Malicdem also recalled that Padre Pio would always say, "I only want to be a friar who prays."
However, Padre Pio (May 25, 1887 to September 23, 1968), became so popular because of the stigmata he received. These are the wounds that mysteriously appeared on the exact locations of the crucifixion wounds of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The wounds of Padre Pio first appeared in 1910 when he became a Capuchin priest. However, they eventually healed. Then the stigmata reappeared on September 20, 1918 and he bore them for 50 years until he passed away in 1968.
In 1919, doctors examined Padre Pio for five months and concluded that his wounds are true stigmata of supernatural origin.
Father Malicdem said, "I'm sure those wounds were too much to bear and he knew that he would be unable to bear those sufferings if not for the grace of God."
People from around the world flocked to visit Padre Pio in his parish to attend the Masses he presided over or to go to confession.
Quotes from Padre Pio
According to the Padre Pio Pietrelcina website, these are words of faith from the holy saint:
"I belong to everyone. Everyone can say, 'Padre Pio is mine.'"
"I suffer so much because I cannot lead all my brothers to God."
"I fear God's judgment, not man's."
"The road to perfection is long, as long as one's lifetime."
"It is difficult to become a saint. Difficult but not impossible."
"For your daily transgressions, humble yourself, humble yourself, always humble yourself."
"Do not spend your energies on things that generate worry, anxiety, and anguish. Only one thing is necessary: Lift up your spirit and love God."
Click here for more quotes from Padre Pio.
Prayer to Padre Pio
Courtesy of PadrePio.org
O God,
You gave Saint Pio of Pietrelcina,
Capuchin priest,
the great privilege of participating
in a unique way in the passion of Your Son,
grant me
through his intercession
the grace of …
which I ardently desire;
and above all grant me the grace of
living in conformity
with the death of Jesus,
to arrive at the glory
of the resurrection.
Glory be to the Father… (three times)
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