Sep. 23 Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest, Memorial
The Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina (1887-1968), more popularly known as Padre Pio was born in 1887 in the small Italian village of Pietrelcina. He joined the Capuchin Friars at the age of sixteen and was ordained a priest seven years later. For fifty years at the monastery of San Giovanni Rotundo he was a much sought after spiritual advisor, confessor, and intercessor whose life was devoted to the Eucharist and prayer. Yet despite such notoriety, he would often say, "I only want to be a poor friar who prays."