Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Pray for Us

Readings: 1^st: Pr 30:5-9; Ps: 119; Gos: Lk 9:1-6

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico, the island of enchantment. He is the Chancellor of the Dioceses of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico; the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. For more details and comments contact him at:  canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today the Wednesday of the twenty-fifth week of ordinary time, the church honors Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest.

He was an Italian Franciscan. He was born in 1887 and is popularly known as Padre Pio. He summed his spirituality for his friends as follows: “Pray, hope, and do not worry.”

Padre Pio was gifted with numerous supernatural blessings. Like Paul, probably to keep him focused, God permitted him to suffer much: “To keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh” (2Cor 12:7).

He was a famous stigmatist and was endowed with the gifts of healing, the ability to read hearts, the gift of tongues, prophecy, miracles, and extraordinary abstinence from both sleep and nourishment.

He died on 23 September 1968, at the age of 81. After many apprehensions and assessments, his sanctity was officially approved by the church on 16 June 2002 by St John Paul II.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus was preparing his apostles for their mission. He told them not to carry too much luggage on their way. This is because what we possess can gradually possess us.

Also, wherever a man’s wealth is, his heart is there too (Mt 6:22). The more physical load one carries, the less spiritual and serious one might become on the journey of faith.

Definitively, this will lead to a loss of focus on the real mission. Today Jesus advises us to travel light not only physically but also spiritually.

Too much load on our spiritual journey is dangerous and will not help us to reach our destination or, to realize our God-given mission.

In religious life in general, we are told to “travel light” in other to be spiritually healthy.

Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Pray for Us

Peace be with you all.

Maranatha!