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RENSSELAER SHRINE

Padre Pio celebration draws saint's devotees

Only rarely does a success story surface about a young person who suffers as a child but grows up to become one of the most celebrated people in the world. It's even more rare when that person has the experience of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, also known as Padre Pio.

Padre Pio (1887-1968) was born and raised in Italy. He was beatified in 1999 and canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. While his holiness and faith are greatly appreciated, he is most famous for having had the stigmata, the wounds of crucified Christ.

To commemorate his life, The Parish of St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph in Rensselaer held its annual celebration Sept. 20 in the parish garden at St. John the Evangelist Church, where there is a shrine to Padre Pio.

Close ties
"We have people in our community [who] have actually met him," said Rev. Adam Forno, pastor. "He was still alive 41 years ago, so some of the older people here have had the good fortune to meet him."

Padre Pio's following in the Albany Diocese reflects his popularity in the wider Church. "He's a wonderful saint to me, a miracle saint," said Agatha Verrella, a parishioner at St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph's. "I've got a lot of faith in him."

Much of Catholics' devotion to Padre Pio can be attributed to the saint's friendliness and compassion.

"He was very accessible," explained Father Forno. "People would go to him, flock to him, and he would welcome them."

Padre Pio was said to be able to "read" people's souls, often asking them about thoughts weighing on their minds that had not even been mentioned in conversation. Devotees like Lena Zullo of Mater Christi parish in Albany (a merger of her former parish, St. Teresa of Avila, with St. Catherine of Siena) believe that "makes Christ so alive."

Many visitors
Over the years, the Padre Pio shrine at St. John the Evangelist Church has become a parish trademark.

"It's visited almost daily, even in the winter," said Father Forno. Even travelers stop by: "You'll see people with suitcases sitting there, praying."

"We've got a wonderful shrine over at St. John's; it looks beautiful," affirmed Mrs. Verrella.

The shrine was created in 2005 by the Order Sons of Italy in America, Roma Intangible Lodge of Albany. The group also co-sponsored the recent celebration of Padre Pio's life. The event featured a pasta buffet, a health fair and a sale of Padre Pio religious items. 

The day's guest homilist, Rev. Michael Marigliano, OFM Cap., correlated the era in which Padre Pio lived with today's societal struggles.

"There's always been a profound interest in reconciling relationships, especially in times of conflict," Father Marigliano noted. "Pio lived through life in conflict with World War I and World War II, and we're living in that same conflict today."

The celebration highlighted more than Padre Pio himself: It also urged living out the faith he taught. 

"Padre Pio allows us to become more present," Ms. Zullo reiterated. "Seeing him and knowing him, he makes Christ become so present for us."

Father Marigliano summed up the importance of and devotion to Padre Pio in his homily, stating: "The vast mystery of God seems to become more visible and more tangible and draws [us] close to this very simple man, Pio."

(09/24/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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