THE Sto. Padre Pio Contemplative Community of Cebu will bring to SM City Cebu the relics of St. Padre Pio on September 16, Sunday.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will lead the Holy Mass at 9 a.m. at the Northwing Atrium to be followed by the veneration of the relics. The celebration is in commemoration of the centenary appearance of the stigmata and his 50th death anniversary.
The relics will then be brought to the Art Center at the second level where an exhibit showcasing different photos highlighting the Life and Divine Gifts of Sto. Padre Pio are displayed. The exhibit will open to the public from September 14 to 16.
St. Padre Pio was an Italian priest who was known for his piety and charity, as well as the gift of the stigmata, which has never been explained.
St. Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione, on May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy. His parents were peasant farmers. He had an older brother and three younger sisters, as well as two other siblings who died in infancy. As a child, he was very religious and by the age of five he reportedly made the decision to dedicate his life to God.