Thousands are expected to gather for the national St Padre Pio pilgrimage in Holycross Abbey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. This weekend relics coming from the St Pio Foundation in the US will be available for veneration on May 24 and 25.
With the Leaving Cert approaching, many students turn to Padre Pio, but Fr Celsus Tierney, PP Holycross and Ballycahill said that it is not only students. “In Ireland, there’s a significant amount of people who have devotion to St Pio. Asking his intercession, also with gratitude for miracles that have been performed or favours granted through the intercession of St Pio.”
The ‘St Pio Day’ is an annual national pilgrimage, taking place every last Sunday of May. So, the St Pio Foundation contacted the Abbey making the relics available. On the two days there will be five relics on display: St Padre Pio’s Crust of the Wounds, a lock of his hair, a piece of his Mantle, his white fingerless glove, and his handkerchief.
Fr Tierney said that “over the years, we would have… a couple of thousand people here and we are expecting maybe a larger group of people [this year],” as Holycross Abbey will be the only place in Ireland with these many St Padre Pio relics available for veneration at the same time. “We are truly privileged to have been chosen to host this remarkable event.”
“Many [Irish] people have travelled to San Giovanni [Rotondo] over the years. This is an opportunity for them to venerate some of the relics here in Holycross,” the priest said. “This is a rare and special opportunity for pilgrims and devotees of St Pio to gather, pray, and reflect during this extended period.”
This year it is also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the Holycross Abbey, so it is “the perfect moment to celebrate the connection between St Pio and Holycross Abbey.”
For the full schedule contact the parish on hbparishoffice@gmail.com.
