Christians celebrate golden jubilee of Padre Pio

PIC: Archbishop Lwanga with some of the priests at Kabulamuliro on Sunday to celebrate Padre Pio. (Credit: Juliet Lukwago)

ANNIVERSARY

The Catholic Church across the world on Sunday celebrated the feast of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, commonly known as Padre Pio, who was a friar, priest, mystic and stigmatist throughout his entire lifetime. 

Here in Uganda thousands of faithful convened at St Padre Pio Shrine Kabulamuliro off Entebbe road in Wakiso district to celebrate the day.

A Holy Mass, led by the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, graced the event.

He said Padre Pio would spend as many as 18 hours in the confessional box every day.

"For 50 years, while hearing confessions, he experienced bodily marks, pain and bleeding in locations that correspond to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ, so that in a remarkable manner he would participate in the redemptive mission of Jesus Christ," said Lwanga.

The Archbishop also blessed and opened St Padre Pio's museum, built in tribute to Padre Pio's golden jubilee.

He also toured the parish church under construction by the Christians.

Head of Laity of Padre Pio Parish, Eng. Andrew Sserunjogi, explains to Lwanga construction work of the new parish church as parish priest Fr. Francis Sseguya and others look on. (Credit: Juliet Lukwago)

Padre Pio was born on May 25, 1887 and died on September 23, 1968.

He became famous for exhibiting stigmata for most of his life, thereby generating much interest and controversy. He was both beatified (1999) and canonized (2002) by Pope John Paul II. 

"I came to know about Padre Pio when I was in primary school. By then, the archbishop of Kampala, Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga, invited Mgr Aloysius Ngobya from Masaka to come and a give a retreat, who narrated to us the Padre Pio story, which was attached to us," recalled Lwanga said.

He also urged Christians to always go for confession to renew their spirit.