About the Padre Pio Shrine:
The Shrine is located in Saint John the Baptist Church, whose founding dates back to 21 years before the U.S. Civil War. It remains an historic, beautiful sanctuary in the heart of New York City. It is run by the Capuchin order, of which Saint Padre Pio was a member.
After Padre Pio was made a Blessed by Pope John Paul II in 1997, public devotion could begin…..which meant his image and relics could be brought into the Church here. After many meetings and consultations with Church decorators, it was decided that a permanent Shrine be set up to display Blessed Pio’s (now Saint Pio’s) image and two relics from the many special relics of this holy friar which are here at St. John’s.
The relics that were chosen to be placed in special reliquaries were the brown fingerless woolen glove of Blessed Pio and the other was the white linen sock, which has the stains of his blood. Other reliquaries which are displayed on Blessed Pio’s feast day and other special occasions, are in the same style as the others. They contain crystal cruets, his fountain pen and a photo of Blessed Pio with him writing with the same pen. On the backside of the photo is a Christmas Greeting written by his own hand.
One of the reliquaries contains a cloth used to absorb the blood from the sacred stigmata, which still bears the stain. Other reliquaries are the holders of the first class relics. These are used in veneration and blessings, one contains the scab of the stigmata, and the other some of his hair.
These relics came to St. John’s through Mary Pile, Padre Pio’s friend and secretary. The relics were given to Fr. Armand Dasseville, OFM, Cap. It was the vision and grace that St. John’s Church served by the Capuchin Franciscans should be a center for devotion to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
The Church is open for prayer and liturgy every day of the year. A St. Pio Prayer Card is available and will be mailed to you by writing to St. John’s Church (Prayer Card), 213 West 30th Street, New York, NY, 10001. They also have blessed oils….see their website for details.
Finding the Padre Pio Shrine:
Address: 213 West 30th Street, New York, NY 10001.
Tel: +1 (212) 564-9070
Click here for the official website of the Padre Pio Shrine in New York City.
