9-Days Novena Concludes on Sat Prior to St Padre Pio Festal Mass TODAY at 5.45 pm
- 9-Days Novena Concludes on Saturday, 17 October, Prior to St Padre Pio Festal Mass TODAY, Sunday 18 October 2020 at 5.45 pm, celebrated by Fr J B Saldanha- Parish Priest of St Xavier’s Church, Bejai- Mangaluru.
Mangaluru: St. Padre Pio was an Italian priest who was known for his piety, charity, and the quality of his preaching, as well as the gift of the stigmata, which has never been explained. Padre Pio became internationally famous, and He famously advised, “Pray, hope and don’t worry.” Padre Pio died on 23 September 1968. His funeral was attended by over 100,000 people. Pope John Paul II recognized Padre Pio as a Saint on June 16, 2002. His feast day is on September 23, but due to the pandemic, the Feast celebrations were postponed, and on 9 October the flag hoisting was done to mark the beginning of the Novena, which will culminate with the Festal mass on 18 October, celebrated by Fr J B Saldanha-the Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai, Mangaluru at 5.45 (Ref: Flag Hoisting Mark Start of Novena and Feast Celebrations of St Padre Pio at St Anne’s Friary )
St Padre Pio is the patron of civil defense volunteers, adolescents, and the village of Pietrelcina. Devotion to St. Padre Pio began in 2003 in St. Anne’s Friary, Mangaluru. As the number of people drawing towards the Saint increased, there began the Novena to the Saint which continues till today with an increasing number of devotees. 2018 was the centenary year of the Stigmata of St. Padre Pio and it was 50 years since the Saint went to Heaven. But this year due to the pandemic, the celebrations will be a low-key matter, unlike every year devotees and St Anne’s Friary gear up to celebrate the occasion on a very grand scale. The Flag hoisting to inaugurate the festal celebrations and the nine-days Novena was done by Lancelot Pinto MCC Corporator of Bejai Ward, along with Fr Royson Fernandes, from Udupi diocese and Editor of Konkani publication ‘Uzvad’, Fr Melwyn D’souza-Superior, St Anne’s Friary, Fr Lancy Rebello- Animator of Fr Pio Shrine, amidst the other Friary clergy and Catholic faithful.
The First day of Novena of St Padre Pio Day was on 1 October 9, with the Theme : St Padre Pio and Holy Catholic Church, where the Main Celebrant was Fr Royson Fernandes, from Udupi diocese and Editor of Konkani publication ‘Uzvad’. Second day of Novena on October 10, with the Theme: Word of God and St Padre Pio, the Main celebrant was Rev. Fr. Roshan D’cunha -Parish Priest of Pangla Church; 3rd day novena on October 11, with the Theme: Padre Pio and His Concern for Sick, the Main celebrant was Fr. Andrew D’Souza, Parish Priest of Bajal Church; 4th day of Novena , Day on October 12, with the Theme: Padre Pio and Stigmata (Suffering), the Main celebrant: Fr Fredrick Braggs Capuchin-Ujire; and the 5th day St Padre Pio Novena on 13 October , with the Theme: Padre Pio and Sacrament of Confession- the Main celebrant was Fr Vincent D’souza, Parish Priest- Kulur Church (Click on the link to learn more details of the noevnas held from 9 October until 13 October ( Ref: (Ref : St Padre Pio Feast! Five Days of Novena Completed from 9 October-13 October )
Sixth Day Novena of St Padre Pio, 14 October-Theme : St Padre Pio and Mother Mary ;
Main celebrant was Fr Stevan Cutinha -Assistant Parish Priest of Madanthay Church
Seventh Day Novena on 15 October- Theme : St Padre Pio and Eucharist;
Main celebrant was Fr Maxim D’souza Capuchin Assistant parish priest of Brahmavar Church
Eighth Day Novena on 16 October-Theme : St Padre Pio and Prayer;
Main Celebrant- Fr Sandeep D’souza Capuchin, Director of Orientation for Capuchins, Ujire
Ninth Day Novena on 17 October, Theme: St Padre Pio and Spiritual Gifts,
Main Celebrant- Fr Roshan Pereira Capuchin-Assistant Parish Priest of Jogfalls Church
Following the conclusion of nine-days novena, the Solemn Festal Mass will be held TODAY 18 October at 5.45 p.m. presided over by Fr J B Saldanha-Parish Priest of St Fancis Xavier Church-Bejai, Mangaluru.
Inputs and photos by : Capuchin Fr Lancy Rebello and Capuchin Fr Jawahar Cutinho- both at St Anne;s Friary, Mangaluru
