Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, priest
"Padre Pio"
Memorial
September 23rd
Vatican Website
"Padre Pio" was born in the small Italian village of Pietrelcina, joined the Capuchin Friars at the age of fifteen, and was ordained a priest seven years later. For fifty years he lived at the monastery of San Stefano Rotundo, where his miraculous abilities as spiritual advisor, confessor and inercessor attracted the attention of the world. Still, Padre Pio's humility -- manifested through his constant devotion to the Eucharist -- was perhaps the more impressive. He would often remark, "I only want to be a friar who prays."
Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003
Collect:
Almighty ever-living God, who, by a singular grace,
gave the Priest Saint Pius a share in the Cross of your Son
and, by means of his ministry,
renewed the wonders of your mercy,
grant that through his intercession
we may be united constantly to the sufferings of Christ,
and so brought happily to the glory of the resurrection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.
Readings: From the Common of Pastors
See Vatican website for Biography and Canonization information
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20020616_index_padre-pio_en.html