The popular healing Saint Padre Pio’s feast celebrated with great glory and grandeur at St. Padre Pio’s shrine, Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sept. 26: The popular healing Saint of modern times, Padre Pio’s feast, was celebrated with great glory and grandeur at St. Padre Pio’s shrine on Sept. 23. St. Anne’s Friary, Bejai. Rt. Rev. Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimoga, celebrated the festal Eucharist along with 30 concelebration priests and a large number of devotees.

In his homily, the bishop highlighted the three main ardent qualities of St. Pio: humility, simplicity, and obedience. He also said, like St. Pio, we need to thirst for Christ’s love. A holistic and sacred procession of the Blessed Sacrament and St. Pio’s Relic was held before the holy mass on the streets of Bejai adjacent to our Friary.

Devotees in great numbers marched, chanting hymns and prayers during the procession. The festal meal was served to more than 1500 people.

As a preparation for the feast, nine days of St. Pio’s Novena and a day of inner healing retreat by Bro. Prakash Bandra, Fr. Richie Quadros, Fr. Rocky’D’Cunha, and team was conducted, and around 3000 people attended the retreat. Many were healed and went back home, rejoicing and thanking the Lord. A day for the sick and elderly was celebrated on September 22, 2023. A healing adoration led by Fr. Richie Quadros brought solace and consolation to the sick. Several people witnessed instant healing and miracles through the intercession of St. Padre Pio.

The Thanksgiving Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. Chetan Lobo, Manager of Assisi Press. Mr. Francis Rosario, who prayed for the healing of cancer, got a clean report during the PET scan. Mrs. Mary, who pleaded with the Saint, got her work done very smoothly.

The shrine of St. Pio at St. Anne’s Friary Bejai is witnessing numerous miracles and healings. The 10 days of festal celebration of St. Pio, a marvellous saint of Capuchin order, ended with the lowering of St. Pio’s flag.