There are many moments in life when we need strength, peace, and the reassurance that someone is praying for us. Perhaps it is a concern for yourself, a concern for a loved one, a burden quietly carried in your heart, or a need for healing, a need for hope, or a need for guidance during a difficult time. SAINT PADRE PIO UNDERSTOOD THESE STRUGGLES DEEPLY. He carried tremendous physical and spiritual sufferings during his own life; this humble Franciscan friar, whose feast we celebrate tonight, became a great source of comfort, healing, and hope for countless people who came to see him. People traveled great distances just to speak to him, to ask for his prayers, or to place their burdens in his hands. And no matter how many people came to him, Padre Pio never stopped reminding them of God’s mercy.
Even today, people throughout the world continue to turn to St. Pio in moments of fear, illness, uncertainly, and need asking for his intercession; and finding renewed strength in his advice: PRAY, HOPE, AND DON’T WORRY! Though Padre Pio lived much of his life in the walls of his monastery, his prayers and love reached so many people all over the entire world. Just as impressive and important as the physical cures attributed to him are the spiritual healings that are experienced by people today who place their prayers, hopes, and troubles in Padre Pio’s heavenly care. Beyond the doubt, Padre Pio is a very powerful intercessor for us before God. Tonight we bring our prayers and petitions and each of us know for who we are praying, and we ask Padre Pio to do what he does so well- to intercede for us and to remind us that through prayer, God’s heart is open to us. God’s heart – is a heart that is always open to us – a heart filled with love, mercy, peace, and hope.
Yes, prayer is our communication with God. St. Paul said, “pray without ceasing.” Please allow me to quote the saint we honor tonight. In his own words on prayer: “Prayer is the best weapon we have. It is the key that opens the heart of God; you must always humble yourself before God and one another Because God speaks only to those who are truly humble and He enriches with his gifts. Humility and purity are the wings which carry us to God and make us almost Divine. Let us always keep before our eyes the fact that here on earth we are a battlefield and in Paradise we shall receive the crown of victory, that this is a testing-ground and the prize will be awarded up above, that we are now in a land of exile while our true homeland is in Heaven to which we must continually aspire.”
Allow yourself this opportunity tonight to reflect on prayer in the life of Padre Pio – his prayer which led him to union with God. His holiness goes beyond his miracles. His sanctity lies in some very simple spiritual aids: Prayer, the Mass, the Rosary, Confession, and a life of service to others – a very down-to-earth approach to spirituality. Every one of us is capable of this type of spiritual life. Everyone of us is called to holiness. His life teaches us to seek holiness through the basics; be people of prayer and let your prayer motivate you to put your lives at the service of others! Seek Padre Pio’s intercession to help you become what you are called to be: a Saint! Even if God does not use us to perform miracles, he uses us to do everything we possibly can to achieve holiness.
Saint Padre Pio, you loved God with all your heart and at the same time you bore the wounds of Christ on your body. Through you, many lives were converted, many hearts were healed, and many sins were forgiven. Pray for us that we will receive the healing we need, so we can more fully devote ourselves to God’s will: to serve him with all our strength. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us. Jesus, we trust in you!
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