“Pray, hope and don’t worry.”
The most famous words of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina continue to take on added meaning amid difficult times, and his steadfast faith will be celebrated this month at his namesake parish in Vineland.
The annual Saint Padre Pio Festival, now in its 19th year, will be held Sept. 26 on the grounds of Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 4680 Dante Ave. The church was decreed a diocesan shrine in 2018.
“In the midst of good and bad, of difficult times and normal times, the Church is always there,” said Father Robert Sinatra, pastor of Saint Padre Pio Parish. “The faith continues on.”
A 20th century Italian Capuchin friar and mystic, Pio of Pietrelcina exhibited the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, for the last 50 years of his life. Today, faithful Catholics call on him to intercede for them in their suffering.
This year’s festival will continue the tradition of two Masses – one celebrated in English at 11 a.m., and a second celebrated in Italian at 2 p.m. The principal celebrant of the Italian Mass will be Father Keith Chylinski of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The first Mass will be followed by a procession, and a relic of Saint Padre Pio – his glove – will be available for veneration.
As the parish continues to take steps to ensure the health and safety of all those who attend the festival, attendees are asked to wear a mask.
The festival will again feature its popular range of food offerings, including porchetta, chicken BBQ, clams and shrimp, sausage and peppers, meatball sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs and other snacks and treats. Attendees can order food in advance using an order form on the parish website.
“The food cannot be beat,” Father Sinatra said. He added that while today’s times are far from typical, he hopes that the festival can provide attendees the opportunity to enjoy time together and continue an annual tradition.
The festival will cap a week honoring the parish’s namesake, with four evening Masses – including a Healing Mass – and a Family Faith Fest on Sept. 24, featuring a film on the life of Saint Padre Pio.
For more information about the festival, visit www.pppnj.org or call 856-691-7526.
