Sermon – Saint Padre Pio: The Priest Who Bore the Wounds of Christ – September 23, 2026

Today we remember the life of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, one of the most renowned and beloved priests in the history of the Church.

Padre Pio was a priest deeply devoted to Christ, the Holy Eucharist, and humanity.

As a visible sign of his deep connection with the Passion of Christ, he went down in history as the first priest to bear the marks of Christ's wounds, or stigmata, on his body. He carried these scars for nearly fifty years.

Padre Pio's life is a very powerful example, especially for us priests. He did not see the priesthood as merely a duty or profession. For him, being a priest meant belonging to Christ and offering himself for the salvation of humanity.

The Sacrament was central to Padre Pio's life. He celebrated it with great reverence and profound faith. Sometimes the ceremony lasted about two or three hours.

For him, the Sacrament was not merely a ceremony; it was to participate in Christ's sacrifice on the Cross and to be present in the mystery of that sacrifice.

There is a very beautiful saying attributed to him:

The world would be easier to exist without the sun than it would be to exist without the Sacred Rite.

This passage reminds us of the Eucharist's place in Christian life, for at the altar, Christ himself is presented to us through the priest. The Holy Mass is central to the life of the Church.

Another important aspect of Padre Pio's priestly ministry was the Sacrament of Confession , or Reconciliation. He would spend hours listening to people who came to confess their sins. Sometimes he would see a large number of people throughout the day.

Padre Pio took sin seriously; but he also had great faith in God's mercy. He didn't just listen to those who came to confess their sins, he encouraged them to return to God, repent, and live again in grace.

His life reminds us that a priest serves in the name of Christ, not in his own name, during confession. The priest's duty is to lead people to God's mercy and forgiveness.

Today, let us offer the prayer of Saint Padre Pio, especially for the priests.

May the Lord grant all priests a life of deep prayer like Padre Pio's , a great love for the Eucharist, and a compassionate heart toward sinners.

May Saint Pio teach us to repent for our sins and to trust in God's mercy.

May the Virgin Mary help us to cultivate a great love for the Eucharist and the Holy Sacrament, just as Padre Pio did.