St. Padre Pio's Annual Feast Celebrated with Grandeur !
Report : Fr. Jawahar Jerry Cutinho,
Photos : Studio Aurora, Mangalore
Mangaluru: The annual feast of St. Padre Pio was celebrated on September
24, Sunday evening at St. Ann’s Friary near Jail Road, Mangaluru. St
Padre Pio who is popularly known as "the mirror of mercy" was venerated
in a grand manner. For the last 9 days novenas were held as the
preparation for this feast in St Ann’s Friary Chapel.
The feast was celebrated in the Divine Mercy Retreat Hall (in the campus
of St Ann’s Friary) with the presence of around 1700 faithful including
the priests and nuns. At 5.00 pm the procession of Padre Pio’s relic was
held.
At 6.00pm the Eucharist was celebrated, which was presided over by Rev
Dr Francis Serravo, Bishop of Shivmoga diocese. Bishop Francis in his
homily stressed that families should inculcate simple life style and
remind the new generation the rich traditions of our families and
society. St Padre Pio is a great example for a life of simplicity and
prayer. We too should make efforts to attain the holiness in life like
that of Pio, he said. The choir was angelic led by Sangeeth Guru Joel
Pereira. After the Eucharistic celebration Bishop Francis was honoured
after which he released ‘a Franciscan Capuchin Diary 2018’. This
biblical diary contains the daily word of God reflections for the year
2018 prepared by 12 Capuchins Friars of Mangalore.
Fr Paul Melwyn, the Superior of St Ann’s Friary and Fr Darick, the
Animator of St Pio’s Shrine thanked one and all. Sumptuous dinner was
served to all the faithful.