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St. Padre Pio relics showcased

Display marks 50 years since his passing

YOUNGSTOWN — The Diocese of Youngstown was one of the sites selected to showcase the relics of St. Padre Pio.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica in Youngstown was the only site selected to in the six-county diocese for the display, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina’s passing.

The relics include Pio’s gloves, a lock of his hair, a blood-crusted wound, a blood-stained mantle and a handkerchief used to wipe his sweat a few hours before his passing. All relics were encased in glass.

A special Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Michael Cariglio in honor of St. Padre Pio.

Sam Accordino, grand knight of Immaccolata Council 15086, said the relics represent first- and second-class relics of Pio. The blood, which was part of his body, is considered first class, while second class relics are items that touched him, such as a handkerchief .

“The relics are on tour of the United States, Canada and Mexico. They are going to different dioceses. Bishop (George) Murry selected this particular parish,” he said.

Accordino said the site for the relics was selected earlier in the year coordinated by the Padre Pio Foundation.

Vincine Franchillo, on behalf of the Luciani Lemonarca, CEO of the St. Padrio Pio Foundation, said the relics are brought to different parishes each year. Franchillo said the relics usually are in Italy where Pio spent most of his life.

“What is nice is there are both first- and second-class relics. When you touch a relic with another item, then that item becomes a third-class relic,” she said.

The Saint Pio Foundation is a nonproift organization that relies on the support of programs an operations for a range of individuals and businesses.

Boardman resident Carol Gramada of Boardman said she wanted to see the relics.

“I am recovering from cancer and after touching a relic, I feel much better. It is nice to see so many different types of relics,” she said.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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