CORNWALL, Ontario – Relics of Saint Padre Pio stopped at Cornwall’s Nativity Co-Cathedral on Monday, June 3.
Padre Pio lived from 1887 to 1968 in Italy. Several miracles have been attributed to Saint Padre Pio including the healing of a blind Italian woman, and stigmata, which is the alleged supernatural suffering of wounds to the hands and feet in the same places where Jesus Christ was crucified.
Padre Pio’s relics included first and second degree relics. A first degree relic is any relic that comes from the body of a saint. First degree relics from Saint Pio that were a part of the tour in Cornwall included crusts from his wounds, blood and a lock of hair. Second degree relics are those that touched his body, which include Padre Pio’s mantle and gloves.
Luciano Lamonarca, President and CEO of the Padre Pio Foundation said that Saint Pio is receiving a resurgence in recognition in recent years.
“Padre Pio is the saint of our time,” he said. “He passed away in 1968 and it is so vivid his presence.”
Cornwall is just one of three places that Padre Pio’s relics have stopped in in Canada this year, and it will be the last.
Bishop Guy Desrochers of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall said that it was an honour to have the relics stop here.
“It is a very special grace we are having here in Cornwall,” he said. “The people of this diocese show a great adoration to relics.”
