Festal Mass held with Theme ‘St Padre Pio-the Spiritual Healer for the Suffering Humanity’
- Festal Mass held with Theme ‘St Padre Pio-the Spiritual Healer for the Suffering Humanity’, to mark the Feast of St Padre Pio, on Sunday, 18 October 2020 at st Anne’s Friary, Jail road, Mangaluru
Mangaluru: St. Padre Pio was an Italian priest who was known for his piety, charity, and the quality of his preaching, as well as the gift of the stigmata, which has never been explained. Padre Pio became internationally famous, and He famously advised, “Pray, hope and don’t worry.” Padre Pio died on September 23, 1968. His funeral was attended by over 100,000 people. Pope John Paul II recognized Padre Pio as a Saint on June 16, 2002. His feast day is September 23. He is the patron of civil defense volunteers, adolescents, and the village of Pietrelcina. Devotion to St. Padre Pio began in 2003 in St. Anne’s Friary, Mangaluru. As the number of people drawing towards the Saint increased, there began the Novena to the Saint which continues till today with an increasing number of devotees.
The Annual Feast celebrations of Saint Padre Pio went on in full swing at the St Anne’s Friary, Bejai-Mangaluru, since 9 October, with the nine days novena started from 9 October till 17 October, in preparation for the Feast, and culminating with the Festal Mass today, Sunday 18 October at 5.45 pm, with main celebrant Rev Fr J B Saldanha, the Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai, Mangaluru- and the theme for today was “St Padre Pio-the Spiritual Healer for the Suffering Humanity”. This is the 52nd year of celebrations, and the Flag hoisting to inaugurate the festal celebrations was held on 9 October 2020 at 5 pm, done by Lancelot Pinto MCC Corporator of Bejai Ward, along with Fr Royson Fernandes, from Udupi diocese and Editor of Konkani publication ‘Uzvad’, (who celebrated the inaugural mass) Fr Melwyn D’souza-Superior, St Anne’s Friary, Fr Lancy Rebello- Animator of Fr Pio Shrine, amidst the other Friary clergy and Catholic faithful. (Ref: Flag Hoisting Mark Start of Novena and Feast Celebrations of St Padre Pio at St Anne’s Friary)
Each day since 9 October, Feast celebrations were held as per the themes, namely- Novena of St Padre Pio Day- 1 October 9 Theme : St Padre Pio and Holy Catholic Church with Main Celebrant Fr Fr Royson Fernandes, from Udupi diocese and Editor of Konkani publication ‘Uzvad’ ; Novena of Padre Pio (Day 2) October 10-Theme: Word of God and St Padre Pio, Main celebrant – Rev. Fr. Roshan D’cunha -Parish Priest of Pangla Church; Padre Pio Novena, Day 3 -October 11-Theme: Padre Pio and His Concern for Sick, Main celebrant Rev. Fr. Andrew D’Souza, Parish Priest of Bajal Church; St Padre Pio Novena , Day- 4 October 12-Theme: Padre Pio and Stigmata (Suffering), Main celebrant: Rev. Fr. Fredrick Braggs Capuchin-Ujire; St Padre Pio Novena , Day- 5 October 13- Theme: Padre Pio and Sacrament of Confession, Main celebrant: Rev. Fr Vincent D’souza, Parish Priest- Kulur Church (Ref :St Padre Pio Feast! Five Days of Novena Completed from 9 October-13 October )
Sixth Day Novena of St Padre Pio, 14 October-Theme : St Padre Pio and Mother Mary ; Main celebrant was Fr Stevan Cutinha -Assistant Parish Priest of Madanthay Church; Seventh Day Novena on 15 October- Theme : St Padre Pio and Eucharist; Main celebrant was Fr Maxim D’souza Capuchin Assistant parish priest of Brahmavar Church; Eighth Day Novena on 16 October-Theme : St Padre Pio and Prayer; Main Celebrant- Fr Sandeep D’souza Capuchin, Director of Orientation for Capuchins, Ujire; and Ninth Day Novena on 17 October, Theme: St Padre Pio and Spiritual Gifts, Main Celebrant- Fr Roshan Pereira Capuchin-Assistant Parish Priest of Jog Falls Church 9-Days Novena Concludes on Sat Prior to St Padre Pio Festal Mass TODAY at 5.45 pm
In His Homily Rev Fr J B Saldanha said, “St Padre Pio who died on 23rd September 1968 was canonized on 16th June 2002 by Pope John Paul II. In 1962 when St John Paul II was still in Poland the Archbishop asked Padre Pio to pray for a woman who was suffering from throat cancer and she was cured. Today, our world is suffering from various kinds of sicknesses. The world is sick because of Covid 19 pandemic. We have not only bodily aches and pains but also psychological, physiological, emotional, social and spiritual ailments. We have gathered in the shrine of Padre Pio believing that this great saint can bring solace to our sick world”.
“Prophet Jeremiah (Jer 9:1-23) pointed out to the people of Judah their compromises in obeying God as well as treating the people of the land justly. He called them to repentance. He insisted that people should adhere to values like mercy, truth, justice, compassion etc. The sick religiosity of the people was transformed by prophet Jeremiah into a healthy spirituality. St Paul (Gal. 6:14-18) writing to Galatians stressed the value of sufferings in life. Those who stay with Christ in their sufferings would be rewarded with special graces to carry on the crosses of daily life ” added Fr Saldanha.
Fr Saldanha concluded saying, “St Mathew (Mt 11:25-30) in his gospel invited the hearers to be humble and gentle like Christ Jesus. In small things we can please God. Life is all about remaining faithful to God’s ways. That would make burdens of life very light. One who accepts sufferings with humility becomes holy and acceptable to God as it happened in the case of St Padre Pio”. In celebrating the Festal Mass, Fr J B Saldanha was joined by Fr Andrew Leo -Parish Priest of Bondel Church, Fr Prakash Cap, Fr Melwyn D’souza-Superior, St Anne’s Friary; Fr Lancy Rebello Cap; Fr Stevan Cap; Fr Jawahar Cutinho Cap; Fr John Cap; Fr Richard Cap; Fr Freddy Cap; Fr Manohar Cap; Fr Prakash Cap and Fr Prem Cap, among others. Fr Melwyn D’souza-the Superior of St Anne’s Friary expressed his gratitude to everyone for making the Feast a success, amidst when the Catholic faithful were bearing the brunt of the Pandemic.
