Incorrupt heart of St. Padre Pio set for Manila Cathedral, UST

The faithful are invited to venerate and pray before the incorrupt heart of miraculous healer Saint Padre Pio at the University of Santo Tomas and at the Manila Cathedral next month.

The sacred relic will arrive in the country on October 5 and will be brought to key areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao before it is brought back to San Giovanni Rotundo in Italy on October 26. The relic will be brought to UST on October 8 at 10 a.m.

Activities include a welcome liturgy, conference, reflection, and prayers. A procession to Plaza Mayor will be held at 4:30 p.m., followed by a Holy Mass to be presided by Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David. An overnight public veneration will be held at the university’s Santisimo Rosario Parish.

A farewell mass will be held on October 9 at 7:30 a.m., followed by the relic’s transfer to Manila Cathedral.

Masses at the cathedral will be held at 9 a.m. (welcome mass), 2:10 p.m., and at 6 p.m. On October 10, masses will be held at 7:30 a.m., 12:10 p.m., and at 6 p.m. The cathedral will open its doors to those who wish to venerate the relic day and night on October 9 to 10.

Rev. Fr. Reginald Malicdem, rector of the Manila Cathedral, invites the faithful to visit the relic of the popular saint as it makes a rare pilgrimage to the country. He urges the faithful “to follow the example of Padre Pio, particularly his sacrifices offering his heart to the service of the Lord. Let us seek for his effective intercession and ask for his prayers in facing our own personal battles,” Malicdem said.