The Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg, in partnership with the National Centre for Padre Pio, hosted a period of veneration for relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina at two local parishes in May.
The relics were available for veneration at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church in Tarpon Springs on May 19 and at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa on May 21. The event allowed attendees to honor five relics belonging to St. Padre Pio: his glove, a blood-stained sock, a lock of hair, a blood-stained bandage, and scabs from his stigmata. A relic of the veil belonging to the Blessed Virgin Mary was also present.
St. Padre Pio was an Italian Capuchin friar known for his devotion to the poor and hearing confessions for extended hours each day. He reportedly received the stigmata after a vision following Mass and carried these wounds throughout his life while maintaining joy and peace among those around him.
According to the Diocese, “Relics are small pieces of the body of a canonized Saint or Blessed (called first-class relics) or objects that have come in direct contact with the body.” The faithful are invited to venerate these items as an expression of gratitude and as a way to seek intercession from saints.
In addition to veneration periods, Masses were offered in honor of St. Padre Pio during both parish events, accompanied by a presentation from a representative from the National Centre for Padre Pio about his life and legacy.
The Diocese serves approximately 500,000 Catholics across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties through its network including 75 parishes and has been led by Bishop Gregory Parkes since 2017, according to The Diocese of Saint Petersburg.
