Padre Pio and Our Lady of Knock - Both Pointing Us to Jesus

Feast of St. Padre Pio – 23rd September There is a beautiful connection between our beloved Capuchin brother Padre Pio and Our Lady of Knock. Padre Pio loved Our Lady with his whole heart. It is said he would pray up to thirty rosaries a day, his rosary beads never far from his wounded hands. For him, Mary was always leading him closer to her Son. That is exactly what happened here in Knock in 1879 - Our Lady appeared not speaking, but silently pointing, directing the gaze of those fifteen witnesses towards her Son, the Lamb on the Altar. The second great love of Padre Pio's life was the Eucharist. He loved celebrating Mass, often taking hours, getting completely lost in the Passion and Death of Jesus. The wounds of Christ he bore in his own body came alive again at the altar. In Knock too, it is the Eucharist that is at the centre of the Apparition scene - the Lamb of God. And just as Mary pointed to Jesus, Padre Pio spent his whole priestly life pointing souls to Jesus in mercy. Here in the confessionals in Knock, we see that same healing at work every day. So many receive healing through the mercy of Jesus in Confession - the ministry Padre Pio loved more than any other. Today we welcomed people from near and far who came to talk about Padre Pio, to share stories of his intercession in their lives, and to receive a special blessing with his mitten - the glove that covered the wound of Christ in his hand. What moved me most was who came. We had Christians and Buddhists alike, all sharing their love and affection for this great Capuchin saint. His holiness speaks beyond boundaries. His simple, suffering love for Jesus touches every heart. St. Padre Pio loved Mary, he loved the Mass, and he loved bringing sinners to mercy. May he teach us to do the same,