+JMJ
To whom it may concern,
I do not know for certain if this would be considered news to the secular press yet I thought you may like to know ...
St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcia, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy was a holy man who had a familiarity and appreciation for our American soldiers. During WWII, many of the armed service personnel would climb that mountain to visit this holy man whose father, like most immigrant5s today, left his country to earn money to send home to his poor family and for his son's education, who had wanted to become a franciscan friar since his earliest years. He came to the United States and thus it was to be that Francesco became Padre Pio - a man so beloved that thousands of pilgrims would descend to this little town. Blessed Padre Pio was canonized on June 16, 2002, and where millions of pilgrims visit San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy yearly.
The Diocese of Las Vegas will have the Pontifical Mass this evening for the closing of the Year of the Priest and also to venerate the relics of this most beloved Saint around the world at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer, with the film being shown at 6:30 p.m. and the High Mass at 7:30 p.m. It is an incredible blessing for the faithful and the people of Las Vegas to have this visit. The relics have been traveling throughout the valley and Mesquite, June 16 - June 26th. Fr. Ermelindo DiCapua, OFM, Cap is the visiting Priest from Foggia who has brought this to us.
How this came to be was actually through Susan Boyle. When Susan became an overnight sensation, we learned of her deep Catholic faith. When her official fansite was opened in September 2009, someone from the valley asked if it is was alright to speak of the albums of the Three Priests and the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI as they were being released at the same time as Susan. A lady from Scotland, replied and through her we learned that she is the Scottish delegate for St. Pio of Pietrelcina of San Giovanni Rotondo. Part of her ministry is to visit the very sick in Scotland. It came to pass that Monsignor Franzinelli, Pastor Emeritus of Holy Family Catholic Church invited Fr. GianMaria DiGiorgio and the Scottish Delegate lady to visit Las Vegas in March 2010, where they met Bishop Joseph A. Pepe who gave a resounding approval for this visit, which is happening now, 9 months later from that encounter on Susan's website. We are so pleased that once again she is with us.
In the meantime, a beautiful rosary was created by the faithful by their submitting one little prayed, bead for Susan in thanksgiving and it was presented to her at the home and Chapel of Cardinal O'Brien of Scotland. This rosary represents the connection between Las Vegas and Scotland, letting Susan know how many people around the world admire her and support her in prayer. This presentation took place on May 3, 2010. Fr. GianMaria, one of the Father Superiors of San Giovanni Rotondo was in Scotland for this amazing encounter. There are pictures. See link:
http://www.scottishcatholicobserver.org.uk/ROSARY_SUSAN_BOYLE.htm
For those who are not Catholic, they may not understand the significance of having the Holy Relics of St. Pio visiting our area, but for the multitude of Catholics and Christians alike this is truly huge! May God bless our valley and our Country!
Thank you for your kind attention,
