September 23
St Pio of Pietrelcina
Wednesday, week 25 in Ordinary Time
St Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, was an Italian Capuchin friar and priest who lived during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born Francesco Forgione, he entered the Capuchin order at a young age and devoted his life to prayer, confession, and the Eucharist. Padre Pio is perhaps most famous for bearing the stigmata—the wounds of Christ—on his body, a phenomenon that attracted much attention and investigation both within and outside the Church. Despite physical suffering and periods of misunderstanding or suspicion, he continued his ministry with humility and obedience, focusing especially on the spiritual guidance of countless pilgrims who visited the small town of San Giovanni Rotondo, where he spent most of his life.
Padre Pio is remembered for his profound dedication to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, often spending long hours hearing confessions and bringing many souls back to God. His spirituality was marked by deep devotion to Christ’s Passion, the Virgin Mary, and charitable works, including the founding of a hospital known as the "Home for the Relief of Suffering." Canonized in 2002, he remains a beloved figure for his witness to the transforming power of grace and prayer. The Church keeps his memorial to remind the faithful of the beauty of a life dedicated completely to God, and as an invitation to deeper conversion and compassion.
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The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingPr 30, 5-9
Every word of God is tested by fire;
he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Do not add anything to what he says:
he would reproach you as a liar.
Lord, I have only two things to ask you,
do not refuse them to me before I die!
Keep falsehood and lies far from me,
do not give me poverty or riches,
grant me only my share of bread.
For in abundance, I might deny you
saying: "The Lord, who is that?"
Or else, poverty might make me a thief,
and I would profane the name of my God!
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 118 (119), 29.72, 89.101, 104.163
Turn me away from the path of lies,
grant me the grace of your law.
My happiness is the law from your mouth,
more than heaps of gold or silver.
Forever, your word, Lord,
stands firm in the heavens.
From the ways of evil, I turn my steps,
in order to observe your word.
Your precepts have given me understanding:
I hate every way of falsehood.
I hate, I detest falsehood;
I love your law.
GospelLc 9, 1-6
At that time,
Jesus called the Twelve together;
he gave them power and authority over all demons,
and also to heal diseases;
he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them:
"Take nothing for the journey,
neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money;
do not have a second tunic each.
When you are welcomed in a house,
stay there; it is from there you will leave again.
And if people do not welcome you,
leave that town and shake the dust from your feet:
this will be a testimony against them."
They set out
and went from village to village,
proclaiming the Good News
and everywhere performing healings.
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org