100th Year Anniversary of Saint Padre Pio's Ordination to the Priesthood

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Archbishop Andrea Mugione of Benevento in Italy celebrated Mass Tuesday to mark the 100th anniversary of St. Pio de Pietrelcina's ordination to the priesthood. The prelate noted that Padre Pio's example of complete surrender to the Church of Christ and in service to others should encourage Catholics to “unconditionally respond to the will of God.”

Speaking to Vatican Radio, the archbishop recalled that the anniversary is “truly a special moment of prayer, grace and reflection.”

After recalling that Padre Pio felt he had a special vocation to “be a sacrificial victim of expiation for the sins of the world and for the conversion of all humanity,” the archbishop said the Italian saint was granted permission to be ordained at the age of 23 because of the various illnesses that afflicted him.

Archbishop Mugione said Padre Pio practically “lived eternity” while on earth and learned to live out the Gospel in a life that was transformed in Christ and by Christ.

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