People waited in lines that stretched down the main aisle of the church and out the door to venerate the relics of St. Padre Pio at St. Mary’s Cathedral Sept. 25.
The relics were displayed at the church as part of a U.S. relic tour commemorating the 50th anniversary of St. Padre Pio’s death. The saint died in 1968 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002.
“Our church is very careful in verifying the authenticity of relics, however once this verification has taken place, the church is excited about offering veneration of the relics for our people,” Bishop Donald Kettler told those gathered for a special evening Mass honoring the saint. “All this is an important way to draw closer to Jesus Christ through the intercession of Padre Pio.”
David and Kathy Wagner, members of St. Joseph Parish in Bertha take a closer look at one of the relics, holding a rosary up to it.
