Communing with the Saints
Continued opportunities to pray with saints’ relics offer consolation, hope to diocesan faithful
October 18, 2024 at 7:00 a.m.
While praying to the saints for their intercession and guidance is not a new phenomenon, the enthusiasm for praying with an earthly remnant of their holy presence seems to be growing throughout the Diocese.
As the relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina – affectionately known as “Padre Pio” – have traveled to many Trenton Diocese parishes this summer at the invitation of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., still others have added their communities to the list of hosting sites, providing further opportunities for Catholics to commune with these examples of devotion and Christian life.
A man touches a rosary to one of St. Pio’s relics during the event in St. Ann Church, Keansburg, making it into a third class relic. John Batkowski photo
Following Padre Pio
When parish pastors chose to host the relics of St. Padre Pio under the sponsorship of the Saint Pio Foundation, several parishes began responding enthusiastically through the summer months with Masses, talks and opportunities for veneration. Five first- and second-class relics of the Italian saint have since visited the parishes of St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown; St. Joseph, Toms River; St. Paul, Princeton; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lakewood; St. Veronica, Howell; St. Ann, Keansburg, and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown.
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Pio Relics in St. Ann Parish, Keansburg
“For many years, I have had a devotion to St. Pio – so when I heard that his relics would be available to the Diocese, I jumped on the opportunity to bring St. Pio’s to St. Ann’s in Keansburg,” said Father Richard Vila, pastor. On Sept. 7, the parish hosted a talk by Julia Calandra-Lineburg, acclaimed speaker on the life and spirituality of St. Pio and vice president of the National Center for Padre Pio, Inc.
Speaker Julia Calandra-Lineburg gives attendees details on the life of St. Padre Pio during a talk she gave in St. Ann Church, Keansburg. John Batkowski photo
“A number of people from around the Diocese contacted the parish regarding the exhibition,” said Father Vila of the response. “They were excited to attend and see the relics. One parishioner mentioned how this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in the presence of St. Pio.”
He pointed out that being able to pray with saints in this special way helps us to learn from them. “They remind us to love God above all things,” Father Vila said, “to keep him first in our lives, to maintain our gaze on him so that our hearts will not be divided between him and the world.”
Night of Healing
St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette, has long known the power of the saint’s intercession, hosting an annual healing service Aug. 1 – near St. Pio’s ordination date – with Franciscan Father Pio Mandato as its guest, who brings with him one of the gloves worn by the saint.
Franciscan Father Pio Mandato blesses a woman during the St. Padre Pio healing service Aug. 1 in St. Pio Church, Lavallette. Courtesy photo
The evening begins with Confessions, with people lining up for hours beforehand; a teaching by Father Mandato follows, as well as Eucharistic Adoration and an opportunity for those attending to be touched with St. Pio’s glove as Father Mandato prays for them.
Coordinator Dawn Russinko calls the event “truly life-changing.”
“Over the years it has grown to be truly reflective of transformation in such a powerful way that people come from all over to experience it,” she said.
Father Mandato was born in Italy, and along with his brother Vincenzo, received his First Holy Communion from St. Pio before coming to the U.S. Growing up in New Jersey and entering the Capuchin Franciscans at the age of 17, Father Mandato was ordained in 1985. Since 1998 he has served the Diocese of Scranton, Pa., and now lives a life of solitude, prayer and intercession. He is also chaplain to the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth and at times is engaged in the preaching apostolate.
“We have so many people return to us telling us their stories of conversion, entering the seminary, and being healed that we continue this blessed tradition every summer,” Russinko continued. “It is a blessing to be able to offer this type of service ... We live in such dark and difficult times that people need hope and a resurgence of faith to live a satisfying holy life that will positively affect others.”
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While praying to the saints for their intercession and guidance is not a new phenomenon, the enthusiasm for praying with an earthly remnant of their holy presence seems to be growing throughout the Diocese.
As the relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina – affectionately known as “Padre Pio” – have traveled to many Trenton Diocese parishes this summer at the invitation of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., still others have added their communities to the list of hosting sites, providing further opportunities for Catholics to commune with these examples of devotion and Christian life.
A man touches a rosary to one of St. Pio’s relics during the event in St. Ann Church, Keansburg, making it into a third class relic. John Batkowski photo
Following Padre Pio
When parish pastors chose to host the relics of St. Padre Pio under the sponsorship of the Saint Pio Foundation, several parishes began responding enthusiastically through the summer months with Masses, talks and opportunities for veneration. Five first- and second-class relics of the Italian saint have since visited the parishes of St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown; St. Joseph, Toms River; St. Paul, Princeton; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lakewood; St. Veronica, Howell; St. Ann, Keansburg, and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown.
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Pio Relics in St. Ann Parish, Keansburg
“For many years, I have had a devotion to St. Pio – so when I heard that his relics would be available to the Diocese, I jumped on the opportunity to bring St. Pio’s to St. Ann’s in Keansburg,” said Father Richard Vila, pastor. On Sept. 7, the parish hosted a talk by Julia Calandra-Lineburg, acclaimed speaker on the life and spirituality of St. Pio and vice president of the National Center for Padre Pio, Inc.
Speaker Julia Calandra-Lineburg gives attendees details on the life of St. Padre Pio during a talk she gave in St. Ann Church, Keansburg. John Batkowski photo
“A number of people from around the Diocese contacted the parish regarding the exhibition,” said Father Vila of the response. “They were excited to attend and see the relics. One parishioner mentioned how this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in the presence of St. Pio.”
He pointed out that being able to pray with saints in this special way helps us to learn from them. “They remind us to love God above all things,” Father Vila said, “to keep him first in our lives, to maintain our gaze on him so that our hearts will not be divided between him and the world.”
Night of Healing
St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette, has long known the power of the saint’s intercession, hosting an annual healing service Aug. 1 – near St. Pio’s ordination date – with Franciscan Father Pio Mandato as its guest, who brings with him one of the gloves worn by the saint.
Franciscan Father Pio Mandato blesses a woman during the St. Padre Pio healing service Aug. 1 in St. Pio Church, Lavallette. Courtesy photo
The evening begins with Confessions, with people lining up for hours beforehand; a teaching by Father Mandato follows, as well as Eucharistic Adoration and an opportunity for those attending to be touched with St. Pio’s glove as Father Mandato prays for them.
Coordinator Dawn Russinko calls the event “truly life-changing.”
“Over the years it has grown to be truly reflective of transformation in such a powerful way that people come from all over to experience it,” she said.
Father Mandato was born in Italy, and along with his brother Vincenzo, received his First Holy Communion from St. Pio before coming to the U.S. Growing up in New Jersey and entering the Capuchin Franciscans at the age of 17, Father Mandato was ordained in 1985. Since 1998 he has served the Diocese of Scranton, Pa., and now lives a life of solitude, prayer and intercession. He is also chaplain to the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth and at times is engaged in the preaching apostolate.
“We have so many people return to us telling us their stories of conversion, entering the seminary, and being healed that we continue this blessed tradition every summer,” Russinko continued. “It is a blessing to be able to offer this type of service ... We live in such dark and difficult times that people need hope and a resurgence of faith to live a satisfying holy life that will positively affect others.”