• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
A newly released image of St. Padre Pio is seen in this undated photo. Some of his relics will go on display for veneration at St.Ignatius in Ijamsville Sept. 6. (CNS photo/Courtesy Saint Pio Foundation)

Padre Pio relics exhibit will visit St. Ignatius in Ijamsville Sept. 6

August 31, 2024
By Gerry Jackson
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Saints, Western Vicariate

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Lara Schumacher has witnessed firsthand the spiritual and physical transformations people undergo when they spend time venerating relics of a saint.

Catholics will get a chance to venerate and learn about one of their faith’s more modern and fascinating saints when relics of St. Padre Pio are displayed for veneration Sept. 6 by St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Ijamsville.

Schumacher, director of faith formation, evangelization of the family and youth at St. Ignatius, said the relics are visiting from the Saint Pio Foundation in Tuckahoe, N.Y., after the central Maryland parish answered a query about being a host.

A newly released image of St. Padre Pio is seen in this undated photo. The Vatican hosted a presentation of 10 new photos of the Capuchin saint April 29, 2024. (CNS photo/Courtesy Saint Pio Foundation)

The visit dovetails nicely with St. Ignatius’ devotion to honoring saints and displaying relics. The parish annually hosts an event each All Saints Day (Nov. 1) where its parishioners venerate relics on loan from private collections.

“I think this is so exciting,” said Schumacher, who has been a parish member since 2010 and faith director since last September. “I’ve personally seen people change both spiritually and physically by encountering the saints. We are so grateful to the Pio Foundation for this opportunity.

“We’re so excited given St. Padre Pio’s reputation as a beloved member of the body of Christ,” she said. “When you are in the presence of relics, you feel the saint’s presence closely. It grounds the supernatural. There’s always something spiritual or physical that can happen. That’s why people get so excited.”

The parish will host five relics of Padre Pio with veneration of the relics beginning at 11 a.m. in the main church. A talk will be given at 2 p.m. in the parish’ Polk Hall about the saint’s life by Julia Calandra-Lineberg of the St. Pio Foundation. Father Brian Nolan, pastor, will celebrate a Mass in honor of St. Padre Pio will be celebrated at 7 p.m. in the main church.

Padre Pio, noted for bearing the wounds of Christ, died in 1968 and was canonized in 2002 by then St. John Paul II, with whom he had been friends since 1947.

Born Francesco Forgione in 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy, the future saint entered the Capuchin order at age 15 and was ordained in 1910. Between 1915 and 1918, he served intermittently in the Italian Army’s medical corps during World War I, but was ultimately discharged due to poor health. He returned to his monastery at San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy, and in 1918 received the stigmata (the wounds of Christ), the first priest to receive such marks in the history of the Catholic Church.

Amid sustained physical and spiritual suffering – compounded by austerity and long hours of prayer – he established Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, now a renowned national research hospital located in San Giovanni Rotondo. The Capuchin also devoted himself to the healing of souls, often spending more than 15 hours a day hearing confessions. 

His daily Masses that he celebrated could last as long as three hours.

The relics on hand at St. Ignatius will include a crust of one St. Padre Pio’s wounds; a handkerchief that he used to wipe his tears; a lock of his hair; one of his gloves; and a piece of his mantle (a loose garment).

Schumacher said she expects at least 200 parishioners to attend the talk and Mass. She noted that the church seats 451, and said that all are welcome.

There is no charge for the events. Donations to the Pio Foundation are welcome, however.

“He speaks to people universally,” Schumacher said. “He was a very loving man, spending almost all of his time saying Mass or in the confessional. He was known as a tough man with a strong sense of humor.”

The parish is seeking volunteers to serve as relic guardians, greeters and merchandise table workers. To sign up to volunteer, click here. 

OSV News contributed to this story.

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org

Read More Local News

Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith

Lay associates journey with the Oblate Sisters of Providence

Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

Scopes Monkey Trial ignited century-long debate on evolution and belief 

Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

Radio Interview: The music and ministry of Seph Schlueter

Copyright © 2024 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Gerry Jackson

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Hunt Valley parishioner recalls her former student – a future pope

  • superman Movie Review: ‘Superman’

  • Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

  • Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

  • Loyola University Maryland graduate ordained Jesuit priest

| Latest Local News |

Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith

Lay associates journey with the Oblate Sisters of Providence

Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

Scopes Monkey Trial ignited century-long debate on evolution and belief 

Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

| Latest World News |

Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack

Proof of life for kidnapped Nigerian priest received by Alaska diocese where he served

Filled with hope, Christians know cries of the innocent will be heard, pope says

Pope calls for ceasefire, dialogue, peace after church hit in Gaza

School club gives students chance to benefit veterans, fosters Gospel value of serving others

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith
  • Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack
  • Proof of life for kidnapped Nigerian priest received by Alaska diocese where he served
  • Filled with hope, Christians know cries of the innocent will be heard, pope says
  • Pope calls for ceasefire, dialogue, peace after church hit in Gaza
  • School club gives students chance to benefit veterans, fosters Gospel value of serving others
  • Top Republican appears to walk back probe of Catholic entities amid charged committee hearing
  • Mahmoud v. Taylor: A Supreme Court victory for parents, freedom
  • Church leaders, faithful in procession to Detroit ICE office call for just immigration policies

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en