BARTO — Bishop Alfred Schlert will celebrate Mass Saturday, Sept. 19 at the National Centre for Padre Pio, part of a 10-day observance honoring the Feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina.
The Centre will welcome pilgrims and families Monday, Sept. 14 through Wednesday, Sept. 23 for its annual Nine-Day Novena of Masses to St. Pio, Feast Day Weekend, and celebration of the Feast of St. Pio. The observance will combine prayer and devotion with Italian traditions, outdoor processions, live entertainment, food, and activities for the entire family.
Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishop Efren Esmilla will celebrate the 10:30 a.m. Mass on the feast day itself, Wednesday, Sept. 23.
The celebrations are part of the Centre’s Year of St. Pio, a year-long observance leading to the 25th anniversary of the canonization of St. Pio of Pietrelcina on June 16, 2027.
Nine-Day Novena
The novena will begin Monday, Sept. 14 and continue through Tuesday, Sept. 22. Each day will include Mass, the Novena to St. Pio, and a special blessing offered for a particular intention:
- Monday, Sept. 14: those affected by autism and children with special needs
- Tuesday, Sept. 15: deceased loved ones and the Holy Souls
- Wednesday, Sept. 16: conversions
- Thursday, Sept. 17: those affected by strokes and all nervous disorders
- Friday, Sept. 18: those affected by cancer and their families
- Saturday, Sept. 19: firefighters, police officers, first responders, veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families
- Sunday, Sept. 20: babies, expectant mothers, and families trying to conceive
- Monday, Sept. 21: those affected by infectious diseases
- Tuesday, Sept. 22: those suffering from addiction
Weekday Masses will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., followed by the novena prayers, the blessing, and Rosary. The complete schedule is available at www.padrepio.org/pray/mass-novena.
Feast Day Weekend
The celebration will expand into a weekend of faith, family, and Italian festivities Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20.
On Saturday, indoor and outdoor Masses will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., with the outdoor Mass held weather permitting. Bishop Schlert will celebrate the indoor Mass. An outdoor Italian procession with the statue of St. Pio, escorted by the Italian Festival Band, will begin at noon. An additional indoor Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the Rosary will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 12:30 p.m., the blessing, and an outdoor procession with the statue of St. Pio.
Throughout the weekend, visitors will be able to enjoy Italian food and treats from Café San Pio, live entertainment, traditional processions, games, face painting, and other family activities.
Feast of St. Pio
The observance will conclude Wednesday, Sept. 23 with the celebration of the Feast of St. Pio. Masses will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Immediately following the 10:30 a.m. Mass, the statue of St. Pio will be carried in an outdoor procession escorted by the Italian Festival Band.
Prayer Intentions
Those who are unable to attend in person are invited to submit prayer intentions to be remembered throughout the novena. Intentions will be placed at the altar, and the Centre will light a Franciscan candle that burns for the duration of the novena. Intentions may be submitted at www.padrepio.org/pray/mass-novena.
All events will take place at the National Centre for Padre Pio, 111 Barto Road, Barto. For more information, visit www.padrepio.org or call 610-845-3000.
The National Centre for Padre Pio, founded by Mrs. Vera Calandra, is recognized as the home of Padre Pio in the United States. Through its spiritual programs, sacred spaces, and preservation of Padre Pio’s legacy, the Centre continues its mission of leading souls to God through the example, spirituality, and intercession of Padre Pio.
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