For nearly 50 years, at the western edge of our Diocese, in Cromwell, the Padre Pio Foundation of America has promoted devotion to the Saint. The Foundation endeavors to uphold the legacy of Saint Padre Pio’s love and caring for those less fortunate, and the Foundation does so in many remarkable ways.
Some twenty years ago, my wife and I were driving through Cromwell, and viewed a sign heralding the Padre Pio Foundation. Curious, we drove up and entered the building. Immediately, we were welcomed by the Executive Director, Julie Fitts Ritter, who enthusiastically gave us a tour, sharing anecdotes about Padre Pio and the Foundation, and even taking our picture for their newsletter. Recently, I returned, and was again enthusiastically welcomed by Julie, who has been with the Foundation for 30 years.
Anyone familiar with Padre Pio is well aware of the many miracles associated with him, and the gifts he possessed like prophecy, reading of souls, bi-location, and even healing of people remotely. The Foundation bearing his name has been in existence since 1977, and was itself begun by one of his miracles.
Julie related to me how a man named Joe Spada had been diagnosed with cancer. His wife, Marge, suggested that he pray to Padre Pio for healing. Some time after that, she found a handkerchief near his hospital bed, which she had never seen before. When she asked Joe about it, he answered, “Oh, it’s from Padre Pio.” Marge dismissed it as delirium, that is, until his funeral.
After Joe was interred, Marge had a reception at her home. People kept remarking to her about the wonderful scent of roses in the house, and wondered where the flowers were. Marge told them that there were no flowers – then it dawned on her. The scent of roses was the presence of Padre Pio; he had been with them all the time. Inspired by this, Marge resolved to “do something” for Padre Pio, and thus the Foundation was begun.
Since then, the Foundation has truly done “something” for Padre Pio. In addition to being, by all accounts, the largest repository of all things related to the saint in America, it hosts hundreds of people, from all faiths and walks of life, who come to show their devotion to the saint or just to find out more about him.
The headquarters of the Foundation, located at 463 Main St., is replete with images and statues of Padre Pio, in all shapes and sizes, as well as images of other saints. The gift shop offers many high-quality religious articles, and the book store has just about every volume written about the saint.
Of particular interest to me was the chapel. The sanctuary is adorned with prayer intentions written by visitors, who place them beneath large, glass-encased candles. There are also rows of smaller candles, which the staff light at the request of those who call in or email their prayer intentions. The chapel also contains a first-class relic of Padre Pio.
But the reach of the Foundation goes far beyond Cromwell. For years, through its generous benefactors, it has supported many charitable causes. Just last month, Julie presented a check totaling $2.6 million for a new PET scan to the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (“Home for the Relief of Suffering”), the hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo, started by the saint in 1956.
The Foundation has also arranged for us to be blessed by relics of the saint, here in Connecticut. Along with the National Centre for Padre Pio, the Foundation has organized a relic tour, and one stop will be St. Pius Church in Middletown. Bishop Richard Reidy will preside at the opening Mass on October 15 at 4:30 PM. Attendees will have an opportunity to view an actual habit worn by the saint and be blessed by one of his gloves. Events surrounding the relics will occur at St. Pius as well as at the Foundation until October 19. Please check the website for details:
https://padrepio.com.
It seems to me that Marge and the Foundation she started have really done “something” for Saint Padre Pio.
By Deacon Ben LoCasto