THOSE who passed by the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral the past couple of days may have noticed the crowd that had gathered there, resulting in traffic build-up in its vicinity. Observable was the line of people that snaked around the compound and inside it, impressive because of the length. The last time a crowd this big gathered there was during the wake for Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
This time, it is the relic of San Padre Pio that is attracting devotees to the Cathedral. The relic is the saint’s “uncorrupted heart,” which has been brought to the country for the first time. Its first stop was the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio, located in Batangas. Its other stops are Cebu, Manila and Davao.
Padre Pio, who was born Francesco Forgioni in Italy in 1887, died in 1968 and was beatified in 1999. The late Pope John Paul II, who is now a saint himself, canonized him in 2002. He is known as the patron saint of adolescents. civil defense volunteers and stress relief. He was known for his miracles of healing, apparently one of the reasons why Cebuanos are flocking to his relic now.
The priest was known to have been granted the stigmata. Wounds appeared in areas in his body that corresponded to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus, notably in his palms and feet. When his body was exhumed in 2008, it was found to be intact and not badly decayed. His body is displayed in San Giovanni Rotundo, Italy.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma was elated by the size of the crowd that showed up to see the relic, which again proved the Cebuanos’ religiosity, mostly observed in their adherence to Catholic rituals and practices. The hope, though, is that the same religiosity would guide well their societal conduct.
Palma’s admonition that the devotees should not only pray for good health but also for a broader intention, like peace for the country. His description of Padre Pio’s heart as a heart that is filled with love for good should thus resonate among the Catholic faithful in Cebu, which is currently being beset by formidable problems and challenges.