Media Release

Mangaluru, Sep 26: Modern times the popular healing Saint Padre Pio's feast was celebrated with great glory and grandeur at St Padre Pio's shrine. St Anne's Friary. Bejai. Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop of Shimoga Diocose celebrated the festal Eucharist along with 30 concelebration priests and large number of devotees. In his homily, the bishop highlighted the main three ardent qualities of St Pio like humility, simplicity and obedience. He also said like St Pio all 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 the Friary.

Devotees, in great number, marched with chanting of 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 of the sick and elderly was celebrated on September 22. A healing adoration led by Fr Richie Quadros brought solace and consolation to the sick. It is believed that several persons experience instant healing and miracles through the intercession of St Padre Pio. A thanksgiving Eucharist was celebrated by Fr Chetan Lobo, manager of Assisi Press. Francis Rosario, who prayed for healing of cancer got a clean report during the PET scan, he said. Devotee Mary testified that on pleading, 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.