Feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina – Sep 23 – Homily – Fr Terrance

Father delivers a profound homily on the life of St. Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione in 1887, who became a symbol of suffering and faith as he bore the stigmata for 50 years and faced immense physical and mystical trials. He draws from St. Paul’s words in 'Colossians 1:24' about rejoicing in suffering for the sake of Christ’s body, the Church, and from 'Galatians 6:17' where Paul speaks of bearing the marks of Jesus, paralleling Padre Pio’s own wounds. Father emphasizes how St. Pio’s constant prayer, including up to 100 rosaries daily, and his spiritual gifts, such as bilocation and healing, helped preserve faith in Italy against atheistic ideologies following World War II.

He then connects this to the recent death of Charlie Kirk, described as a modern St. Paul by Cardinal Dolan, whose faith and martyrdom mirror St. Pio’s battle against similar errors of atheism and communism, as warned by Our Lady at Fatima in 1917. Father highlights the moving memorial for Charlie, where his wife Erika forgave his assassin, echoing Christ’s forgiveness. He prays that Charlie’s death, like St. Pio’s lifelong sacrifice, will ignite a spiritual awakening in America, reminding us that the blood of martyrs, as Tertullian said, is the seed of the Church. Father urges all to seek St. Pio’s intercession and pray the rosary for this renewal.

For Further Reading

Colossians 1:24 - NAB - Rejoicing in Suffering for Christ - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1?24
Galatians 6:17 - NAB - Bearing the Marks of Jesus - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/6?17
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2473 - Martyrdom as Witness - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2473.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1674 - Power of Prayer - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1674.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #971 - Devotion to Mary - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/971.htm
Franciscan Media - Profile of St. Padre Pio - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-pio-of-pietrelcina
Catholic Answers - The Rosary’s Power Explained - https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-rosary
Vatican - Fatima Message and Errors of Russia - https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000626_message-fatima_en.html