Marian Shrine, Graymoor Planning Gatherings of Faith and Hope

Marian Shrine, Graymoor Planning Gatherings of Faith and Hope By: Armando Machado Stony Point will feature St. Padre Pio prayer and meditation, Franciscan Friars’ Walk for Recovery taking place this weekend The Marian Shrine in Stony Point will host a Feast of St. Padre Pio Triduum in honor of the humble Italian Capuchin priest. The days of prayer and meditation on St. Padre Pio will be: Sunday, Sept. 20, with Mass at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, Sept. 21-23, with noon Mass each day. A first-class relic of the saint will be on display. Sept. 23 is the feast day. Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887, was an Italian Capuchin priest renowned for bearing the stigmata and dedicating his life to prayer and the relief of suffering. He died on Sept. 23, 1968, at age 81. He is often quoted as saying, “Pray, hope and don’t worry.” Canonized in 2002 He founded Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home for the Relief of Suffering), a major modern hospital that opened in 1956 in San Giovanni Rotondo FG, Italy. Padre Pio was canonized as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina by Pope John Paul II in June 2002. Stigmata are bodily wounds, scars, or pains corresponding to those of the crucified Christ. “It will be a Triduum, three days of prayer and reflection leading up to the feast day. He’s a very popular saint,” Fr. Manny Gallo, SDB, director of the Marian Shrine, told The Good Newsroom by phone Sept. 17. “The more we know about [Padre Pio], the closer we get to Christ, to know more about his mystical prayer life, the connection that he had to Jesus.” Fr. Gallo noted, “He can be an inspiration to pray, taking time to pray. He was a special person.” The priest also noted that attending one or more of the Prayer and Meditation Masses would be ideal for “anybody going through a spiritual attack, a spiritual battle.” The National Shrine, Mary Help of Christians, is located at 174 Filors Lane, Stony Point. The website is: https://www.marianshrine.org/ Walk for Recovery The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at Graymoor, in Garrison in Putnam County are hosting “Be the Bridge: Walk for Recovery,” at the Walkway Over the Hudson, 61 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie, which is in Dutchess County, on Sunday, Sept. 20. Check-in and registration begins at noon, with the walk commencing at 1 p.m.. “Support (substance use) recovery at the 5th Annual Be the Bridge: Walk for Recovery. Let’s make our 5th Anniversary our most impactful Walk yet,” the friars assert on their website. “Together we’ll honor our Brothers Christopher, past and present. Together we’ll celebrate recovery. Together we’ll support the work of St. Christopher’s Inn (in Garrison). Invite your friends and family. Make a team. Spread the word.” The friars note that every step raises awareness of the lifesaving work of St. Christopher’s Inn, and that every step raises funds to support that work. “Support the life-changing and lifesaving work of St. Christopher’s Inn (residential services for substance use treatment).” The Walk for Recovery has drawn more than 15 corporate and group sponsors. For more information: https://www.atonementfriars.org/