Blogs from Jupiter

I was just recently introduced to Saint Padre Pio by my good friend Stephie. And just a few days ago, Tuesday to be exact, the world celebrated his feast day. Masses and prayers were held this month of September in his honor at Lourdes Church in Retiro. Padre Pio is Capuchin and so is Lourdes Church, which is under the Capuchins of Saint Francis of Assisi, another favorite saint.

I’ve been praying for a friend of mine who is stricken with stage two stomach cancer. Tuesday’s high mass for Padre Pio was an opportunity for me to pray for my friend’s continued healing, asking Padre Pio to intercede for God’s mercy and grace.

I am glad that my friend is responding positively to chemotherapy. He told me the other day that he was supposed to undergo surgery. His doctor was surprised that he does not need one anymore. Despite him frequently missing out medication, he continues to heal. He is scheduled to have his last radiation this October, and after that the oncologist promised him a new lease of life. I continue to pray for him because he’s been sick for more than two years.

A lot has been documented on the life of Padre Pio. Hailed as a living saint during his time, Padre Pio is famous for the stigmata, the five wounds of the crucified Christ, hands, feet and side, manifesting in the friar’s frail body. He died in 1968 and after a recent exhumation of his body, 40 years counting, his body remains intact. More information on Padre Pio is available at http://www.padrepiodevotions.org/. He is a saint among us as he lived in these modern times just like Mother Teresa, Sister Lucia of Fatima, and the Little Flower, St. Therese of Liseux.

September and October are really busy prayer months. I, in particular, make sure that I attend mass and devote prayers for the Blessed Mother and St. Michael and the Archangels in September, and the Holy Angels, St. Therese of Liseux and La Naval in October.

Will be sleeping in a bit. Have to wake up early for later’s Michaelmas celebration. It’s September 28, St. Michael’s feast day. Stephie and I will go to San Miguel Church in Malacanang to honor our dear St. Michael.

October 1, Wednesday, is the feast day of St. Therese. And I’m glad that we have no work. Government has declared October 1 a national holiday, the start of the month of Ramadan in reverence to our Muslim brothers. Will join them in prayer through Little Flower.