Christians celebrate St Padre Pio day at Kabulamuliro

Sep 25, 2017

Every September 23, the Catholic Church worldwide celebrates the anniversary of St Padre Pio, who was canonised by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

Papal Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Michael August Blume cuts cake with Franciscans priests at St Padre Pio Shrine, Kabulamuliro on Saturday. Photo by Juliet Lukwago

Thousands of Christians turned up at St Padre Pio Shrine at Kabulamuliro, off Entebbe Road on Saturday to celebrate St Padre Pio day. Padre Pio is one of the many saints in Catholic Church.

The ceremony was held to mark the 49th anniversary since Padre Pio died on September 23, 1968 at the age of 81. 

Every September 23, the Catholic Church worldwide celebrates the anniversary of Pio of Pietrelcina, also known as St Padre Pio, who was canonised by Pope John Paul II in 2002. Millions still gather in Rotondo in Rome, Italy to view his body.

At Kabulamuliro, the celebration started with Mass led by the Papal Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Michael August Blume, assisted by several priests including the Shrine Rector, Fr Francis Furtado.

In the same celebrations, the Papal Nuncio also ordained Brother Francis Ssuuna to diaconate. In his sermon, Archbishop Blume said deacons by their presence and ministry help Christians to meditate on the teachings and spirituality of the family of St. Francis, who himself was a deacon who served humanity in an exemplary manner.

"Pope Francis when speaking to the clergy, has often talked about the need to know the ‘smell of the sheep' they serve. The spirituality of the diaconate is incomplete without its orientation in theory and in practice to the service of the poor and the outcast," he said.

The Padre Pio  Kabulamuliro shrine, started in 2002 after Pope John Paul II declared Padre Pio a saint. The shrine is situated 18km off Kampala-Entebbe Road.

 

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