The wisdom of St Pius of Pietrelcina

St Pius of Pietrelcina or, Padre Pio (1887-1968), has had a huge popular following in Ireland.  Devotion to the Capuchin Franciscan saint who carried what is known as the ‘stigmata’ (physical wounds corresponding to those suffered by Christ in his Passion) has touched every parish in Ireland at some point in the recent decades.  His life was given to prayer, penance, ministry of the sacraments and works of love for the sick, in particular. In his sufferings, he lived the Mass and gave his life for others.

One of his famous sayings was:

It would be easier for the world to exist without the sun than without the Holy Mass.

Padro Pio’s way of celebrating Mass was remarkable in a number of ways. In it, he entered deeply into the mystery of Christ's Passion.  Mass could take a longer time than usual as he poured himself out at the altar in contemplation.  Various accounts recount that Padre Pio wept at Mass on occasions; that he paused in silence for extended periods; and appeared overwhelmed at the consecration.

He encouraged all who participate in the Mass to prepare very carefully for Communion through prayer, repentance and a sincere desire for holiness. Outside of Mass, he spent long hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and encouraged others to do the same. 

He compared one’s need for Communion in the great sacrament to the body's need for food. Just as we vitally need physical food we need to be fed, spiritually, by the Body and Blood of  Christ in Holy Communion. For St Pius, preparation for the Eucharist was extremely important. But, thanksgiving and adoration afterwards including the time before and after the final dismissal for the conclusion of the Mass were also extremely important. Perhaps, on occasions, we are too much in a hurry to rush out of the Church or start talking to someone about the weather while others might like to pray silently after the conclusion of Mass?

A few moments of quiet thanksgiving after Mass allow us to savour the grace we have received and to deepen our communion with the Lord. Following the example of Padre Pio, may we grow in reverence for the Eucharist, recognising in it the source and summit of the Christian life, and allowing its transforming grace to shape our lives and our societies today.