Padre Pio Pilgrimage
March 14, 2024
You could not have picked a better day for our Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Padre Pio in Barto, Pennsylvania! The weather suited pilgrims from our Deanery well as we traveled to and from and encountered our Lord through his servant Padre Pio.
Fr. Rich led us in prayer, celebrated Mass, and heard confessions throughout the day. We even had the opportunity to pray with others virtually by reciting the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet through the Shrine's global outreach. You could hear us in the background if you tuned into their website that day! After reciting the rosary, we were offered the opportunity to venerate the glove of Padre Pio. Many participated and encountered Christ on a whole new level!
Lunch was provided and served to us in the lower level of the Spirituality Center. While waiting to be served, one had the opportunity to view the beautiful artwork donated by various artists over the years. The artwork was a retreat in itself where one could clearly see the emotions of the artist and personally relate to the story portrayed.
After lunch we viewed a movie about the miracles of Padre Pio, then we were given the opportunity to experience the museum and breathtaking grounds. You could see pilgrims visiting the grottos and special prayer spaces in and around the Shrine, spending time as small groups or alone with our Lord. It was in those moments where one could easily breathe in peace as the weather just made the time alone all the better!
Thank you, Padre Pio for our special time away! Lent has a whole new meaning for all of us!
Mare Draper
Check out snapshots of the day: