Capuchin saint draws in the faithful

Published: 12 September 2010
By: Matt Emerick

Powerful witness: Capuchin Father Ermelindo Di Capua speaks of his personal knowledge of St Pio of Pietrelcina. Picture: Matt Kirby

THOUSANDS of Brisbane Catholics have gathered for their chance to hear first-hand information about the life of much-loved Italian mystic St Pio of Pietrelcina and to be blessed with his relics.

Our Lady of Graces' Church, Carina, was packed on September 3 as was St Brigid's Church, Red Hill, the following day, as people gathered to listen to Italian Capuchin Father Ermelindo Di Capua speak about the life, sanctity and humility of "Padre Pio".

Fr Di Capua, one of the people to be close on a daily basis to then Padre Pio at the end of his life, was a confidant and English translator to the Italian mystic and saint.

Organiser Capuchin Father John Spiteri was overjoyed with the first Australian visit St Pio of Pietrelcina's relics.

"It was a great success," Fr Spiteri said.

"It was very impressive, despite the short notice."

Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Oudeman of Brisbane was the main celebrant at both Masses and Fr Ermelindo was the guest homilist.

"He spoke simply and very clearly about the spirituality and the holiness of Padre Pio," Fr Spiteri said.

"One of his outstanding quotes was 'Padre Pio was a simple, humble Capuchin'."

Padre Pio was ordained a priest a century ago, on August 10.

He first reported his stigmata to a spiritual advisor in 1910.

By 1918 the wounds were permanent and would be with him for the remaining 50 years of his life.

Padre Pio also had the gift of reading souls and the ability to bilocate.

Pope John Paul II declared Padre Pio a saint in 2002.

In his homily, Fr Ermelindo said he had not come to Australia to promote devotion to Padre Pio, but to explain the saint's love for Jesus, Our Lady and the Church.

"The entire life of Padre Pio was prayer and suffering," Fr Ermelindo said.

"But he was humble, simple and a man of charity.

"His favourite saying was 'God's will be done' and he said 'the Mass must be the centre of our spiritual life'."

Fr Spiteri said both Masses were marked by reverence, and at the end of Mass, he and Fr Ermelindo held the relics, and the faithful venerated and were blessed with them.

"Fr Ermelindo was able to testify to the eminent holiness and the simplicity and the suffering Padre Pio endured," Fr Spiteri said.

"It was wonderful to hear Fr Ermelindo speak so strongly about the holiness of Padre Pio without exaggeration.

"There was no sentimentality, no exaggeration, he spoke about the man as he was.

"I think that was very impressive." Fr Spiteri said Fr Ermelindo was greatly influenced by Padre Pio's apostolic activities. "He gave himself to the work of the Church," he said.

"As Fr Ermelindo said, the highlight of Padre Pio's day was the celebration of the Eucharist. In this celebration he found a deep living mystical union with Christ."