# Celebrating Saint Pio of Pietrelcina on His Feast Day
*2022-10-22*

> Bill Young reflects on the life of Saint Pio, shares a personal encounter with his relic, and leads listeners in the traditional prayer to Saint Pio and the Chaplet of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

## Opening and Current Events

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today, September 23, is the feast day of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, one of the great saints of the twentieth century. Before we pray, I want to note a few recent news items that affect us as Catholics: the recent death of Supreme Court Justice Bruce Ginsburg, ongoing debates over abortion, and concerns about religious freedom in the public square. These issues remind us of the need for prayer and for the intercession of the saints.

## A Blessed Encounter with Saint Pio’s Relic

Two years ago I attended a three‑day conference of the Franciscan Sisters in South Miami. Over five hundred people gathered for Masses, and among the relics displayed was the heart of Saint Pio, placed in a small reliquary next to the altar. When I touched the cloth covering the relic, I felt a surprising warmth. The experience occurred on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Gospel reading that day told of the woman who touched Christ’s cloak and was healed by her faith. Holding the cloth, I felt a deep connection between Saint Pio’s devotion to the Sacred Heart and that woman’s encounter with Christ.

## Prayer to Saint Pio

Let us now pray the traditional prayer to Saint Pio:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Jesus, full of grace and love, who suffered for our sins, I humbly ask you to glorify on this earth the servant of God, Saint Pio, who gave himself completely for the salvation of souls. Through his intercession grant us the graces we need, especially for my family—my wife, my son, and my brother. May we all return to the Lord.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen (repeated three times).

## Chaplet of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (as prayed by Saint Pio)

Now we pray the Chaplet of the Sacred Heart, which Saint Pio recited daily:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, come to my aid. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed.

I come to you, Lord Jesus, trusting your promise: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.” I ask for the grace of a healed family, for my wife, my son Gregory, my brother Tim, and for all who need the Lord’s mercy.

Our Father… (the Lord’s Prayer).

Hail Mary, full of grace… (the Hail Mary). 

Glory be… (repeat). 

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you. O Sacred Heart, have mercy on us sinners and obtain for us the graces we implore through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph.

Hail Holy Queen… (the Holy Queen prayer).

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus continue to pour out love and compassion upon us.

## Closing Reflection

Saint Pio’s life reminds us that suffering can be united with Christ’s own wounds, that humility and obedience are essential, and that love—especially love for the unborn and for all of God’s children—must guide our actions. In a world filled with division, let us turn to the Sacred Heart and to Saint Pio’s intercession for peace, forgiveness, and the courage to bear our crosses.

*May the intercession of Saint Pio and the love of the Sacred Heart strengthen our faith and inspire us to pray for the protection of life and true religious liberty.*