Saints Peter and Paul in Naperville will host the only 2023 Padre Pio Relic Tour in Illinois

Naperville, IL - Francesco Forgione, OFMCap, better known as Padre Pio, was an Italian Franciscan Capuchin friar, priest, stigmatist, and mystic. He was beatified in 1999 and canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. His relics are exposed in a golden crypt in the sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, next to the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo, now a major pilgrimage site. He has become one of the world’s most popular saints, patron of the sick and healing.

The U.S.-based Saint Pio Foundation sponsors tours of the relics of Padre Pio in (arch)dioceses and parishes across North America. The majority of those attending the relics tour would never be able to travel to San Giovanni Rotondo or Pietrelcina to visit the places where our Saint was born, lived, and died. Now hundreds of thousands of the faithful can have a “spiritual encounter” with Padre Pio, to pray to him, and to ask for his intercession.

The Relics of Padre Pio will be displayed for veneration at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church (36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville, IL 60540) on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Veneration follows an opening Mass at 8 a.m.; veneration ends at 6:30 p.m., prior to a 7 p.m. closing Mass.

Free parking is available in all church lots, as well as neighborhood street parking. Faithful visitors are asked to process through the veneration line that begins at the main (west) church doors; a handicap entrance and exit is located on the north side of the church. Recitation of the Holy Rosary and witness talks will occur throughout the day.

The relics will be displayed near the altar, with pews reserved for silent prayer and devotion. Free-will donations can be made to the Saint Pio Foundation. Religious items and books will be available for purchase from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

See sspeterandpaul.net/events/padrepio for more information.