Saint Pio of Pietrelcina 23rd September

He sent them forth to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Prov 30,5-9 Ps.118 Lk.9, 1-6

Jesus gathered the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and also to do healings  ; He sent them forth to proclaim God’s Kingdom and to heal the sick.

Today is the feast of St. (Padre) Pio of Pietrelcina. Born in Pietrelcina, he took the name of Pio when he entered th capucins in Morcone. Ordained a priest, he stayed with his family for health reasons. In September 1916 he was sent to the convent in San Giovanni Rotondo where he stayd until he died. The stimagata he receved drew the attention of ecclesiastical authorities. The Holy Office forbade him to exerce any ministry apart from private mass in the convent chapel. These measures were eventually dropped and he was allowed once more to celebrate mass in the Church, and then to confesse men and after that to confess women. This is how Padre Pio’s ministry came about, confessing people during long hours of the day.

Jesus gives missions to his apostles and their life becomes one with His. Jesus gives us His Love through their actions. First and foremost we enter into a life of intimacy with Christ Jesus. Like the apostles who were intimate friends with Jesus, it is by this Love that we transmit the Word of God.

God’s Love and the Good News are transmitted first and foremost through our lives.

Padre Pio was united to the Lord in confidence, love and humble service.

Jesus said to them  : Don’t take anything with you as you go forth, neither stick nor bag, nor bread nor any money  ; don’t take any spare clothing. When someone invites you into their home, stay there  ; you will go forth from there.

In the footsteps of Jesus Padre Pio lived out the truth and reality of his daily life.The key moments of his day was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist where Jesus’ Life in his Agony, Passion and Ressurection would shine forth strongly. Padre Pio would lean on God’s Love and nothing else.

His priestly ministry as the first stimatised priest had a vast influence on many. People would come to see him from all around the world, or send him letters, telling of their problems, burdens and crosses heavy to carry.

Whatr counts for the Misson is to have one’s heart so filled with the Word of God that it overflows. The Word of God was announced quite simply and people were free to respond to it or not. God so desires people to have open hearts and to be free in thier hearts, above all.

And if people don’t welcome you, leave the town and shake off the dust from your feet  ; this will be a witness against them. They went forth and went from town to town, announcing the Good News and everywhere they went, they healed people.

We cannot seperate Padre Pio’s life from the prayer of the Holy Rosary, this tender link with Mary  ; it is the sign of his tenderness towards the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God.

Padre Pio is greatly committed to relieve the suffering and misery of countless families. It was Paul VI who asked that he may be able to exerce his ministry freely, when he underwent yet another wave of persecution.

He died on 23rd September 1968, and his body was laid to rest in the chapel of Saint Maria del Grazzia in San Giovanni Rotondo.

John Paul 2 introuduced his cause of beatification and on 16th June 2002 Padre Pio was canonised by him.

Know how to welcome the people we meet just as they are, and to say thank you for the welcome we have recieved, this is the grace we ask for on this feast day of St Pio.

The encounter with Jesus brings us a sense of balance and a Peace that sets our minds and hearts at peace, enabling us to have an encounter with ourselves. In this way we find a path to freeedom.