IT WAS a beautiful day for trekking at Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) to celebrate the feast of a powerful saint, Padre Pio.
It was raining the night before but the saint must have wanted the pilgrims to experience the beauty of the place so the sun shone gloriously.
A group of devotees headed by Dr. Legislador had this dream to have a pilgrimage site for their favorite saint. The original plans were to have it in Sipalay but perhaps Padre Pio wanted otherwise, so Dr. Legislador was brought to DSB.
There could be no other fitting place to meditate, to pray, and to savor all of God’s creations than in this spot. Once you see the lion statue in DSB that greets you, you are there at the Padre Pio Gardens.
In two years, the place has been landscaped with blooming flowers, some of which I have seen for the first time—yellow bells in yellow and coral and more blooms and foliage that thrive on cooler temperature.
Before going down the 200 or more steps, there is a life-sized image of St. Michael. And as you go deeper to reach the chapel, there are Stations of the Cross and many images of Padre Pio and the Blessed Mother.
Finally reaching the level of the chapel, which was cramped with devotees from far and near, a magnificent landscape appears before your eyes.
Rainforest plants, rice terraces cascading down the slopes, a river that refreshes the foliage and myriad flowers—truly a delight!
Many priests led by Bishop Gerry Alminaza con celebrated the Mass. This new chapel dedicated to Our Lady and St. Padre Pio was blessed. Before the blessing of the altar, relics of Padre Pio were embedded. Bishop Gerry spoke of the holy life of this holy man who bore the five wounds of Christ.
He was a humble religious with many gifts. Padre Pio was a friar, priest, stigmatist and mystic of the Order of the Capuchins. He had the ability to bi locate among his other supernatural phenomena. He was said to communicate with angels and worked favors and healing before they were requested of him.
Having suffered the stigmata for most of his years on earth, Padre Pio believed that the love of God is inseparable from suffering, and that suffering for the sake of God is the way for the soul to reach God. He gave us a lesson on how to turn our sufferings into merits before God.
Having the gift of reading souls, Padre Pio would spend many long hours giving confession. Hundreds would come daily to have the sacrament of reconciliation with him.
It was truly a blessing to be there in Don Salvador Benedicto that day of September 23, to experience the feast of St. Padre Pio. After Mass, we had the privilege of kissing his relic and the devotees prepared some souvenir rosaries and prayers for the guests to take home.
Consumed with bliss, our happy group had a sumptuous brunch in the summer home of Merle Severino. What a great fulfilling day indeed! Thank you Padre Pio for blessing us!