Mangaluru: The annual nine-day Novena Grace in honour of Saint Padre Pio will be celebrated on 24 September, Sunday in Padre Pio Shrine, St. Anne’s Friary Jail Road, Mangaluru.
Fr. Paul Melwyn D’Souza, Superior of St. Anne’s Friary addressing the press, “The festal mass will be held at 6 PM. The principal celebrant will be the Most Rev.Dr .Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimogga Diocese. There will be a procession to venerate Padre Pio at 5 PM.”
The nine-day Novena is being held from September 15 to September 23.
“On September 23, there will be special prayer for the sick and infirm at 11 AM. There will also be Masses in Malayalam and Kannada on September 24 at 9 AM and 11 AM respectively”, he informed.
About St Padre Pio
Saint Pio (Pius) of Pietrelcina was a Capuchin Catholic priest from Italy, who is venerated as a saint. During his life time, he became known for bearing the stigmata (Wounds of Christ). His followers attributed several miracles to his intervention.
A worthy follower of Saint Francis of Assisi, Padre Pio was born on 25 May 1887 at Pietrelicina in the Archdiocese of Benevento, Italy. He was baptised and given the name Francesco. Francesco displayed strong religious inclination and voluntarily undertook penances. At the age of 16, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars. When he was vested with Franciscan garb he took on the name Pio. He was ordained a priest on 10 August 1910.
Stigmata
Padre Pio had an unique privilege of experiences-the pain of the Lord’s passion in his body. He also administered sacrament of confessions to hundreds of penitents.
Fr. Darick D’Souza Cap Animator of Padre Pio Shrine, Fr. Richard D’ Souza, Director of Canara Communication Centre, Br. Victor Crasta Cap, Assistant Director of Sandesha Prathishtana and Joel Periera, well known musician and writer were present during the press meet.
