“I have often raised my hand in the silence of the night and in my solitary cell, blessing you all and presenting you to Jesus and to our father, St. Francis of Assisi.” – St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Last Monday, I had an opportunity to visit the Philippine National Shrine of Padre Pio at San Pedro, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Since I’ve been becoming sickly these past weeks, I volunteered to accompany my friend to go at the said shrine for a healing mass for she was looking for someone to be with her as she drove from batangas city to Sto. Tomas. When we arrived, it was announced that the mass will start at six p.m. and so while waiting, I went to see the seemingly eucharist in a glass medal somewhere near the shrine. I then discovered that it was the saint’s relics and I felt so blessed seeing it with my bare eyes.
The healing mass then started and I was deeply moved by the words of the Capuchin priest who lead us all in prayer. The homily was so inspiring and I felt like wanting to attend the next healing mass/session. Healing Mass is by the way done every 23rd day of the month at Padre Pio’s shrine in San Pedro. I likewise witness the long queue of devotees waiting for pray over. There were some young and old people in wheel chairs, I guess people from all walks of life praying and hoping to be healed from different physical or maybe spiritual illnesses they’ve been suffering from.
I found myself in tears when I whole heartedly pray for my Friend’s mom who is sick right now, and for all those people I care so much. I did’nt know exactly the feeling. It was something I really can’t explain. It felt like the tears were like God’s way of healing me… of cleansing me, each teardrop was like an agent of taking out or crying out the pains in my heart and my soul.
I hope more people would get to visit and attend the healing mass At Padre Pio’s shrine. It is just 10 minutes away from Sto. Tomas Public Market, the way one take when going to Lucena or Bicol.
