Carrying Your Cross with St. Padre Pio: Faith, Suffering and Silent Trust

About 200 faithful gathered at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima for Holy Hour, the recitation of the Rosary, Mass and Veneration of the Holy Relic of St. Padre Pio as the parish celebrated the Feast of St. Padre Pio.

The Eucharist was celebrated by Parish Administrator Fr. Andrew Manickam, with visiting priest Fr. Simon Agbo concelebrating.

In his homily, Fr. Andrew reflected on the crosses that form part of human life — illness, loss, family struggles, uncertainty and moments when we may wonder where God is in the midst of our difficulties.

He recalled that St. Padre Pio himself knew what it meant to bear heavy crosses. As his reputation for holiness and reports of miracles drew increasing numbers of people to him, Padre Pio also endured personal struggles, spiritual dryness, investigations and periods when restrictions were placed upon his ministry. He nevertheless remained faithful and obedient.

Padre Pio also lived with the continuing physical suffering of the stigmata, bearing the wounds of Christ upon his body.

Fr. Andrew reflected on Padre Pio’s understanding of spiritual struggle and highlighted three practices that anchored his spiritual life: frequent Confession, the daily Rosary and complete trust in God’s will, even when God’s purposes may be difficult to understand.

Among Padre Pio’s best-known words are the simple encouragement:

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

His life reminds us that suffering and struggle need not separate us from God. They can instead become occasions to deepen our faith, place greater trust in Him and remember that He remains with us through our difficulties.

At the conclusion of the celebration, Fr. Andrew thanked Devid Rejah and his wife Vanitha for the many ways they have served OLF behind the scenes during their two years with the parish, as they now embark on their Flame of Love vocation in Kulim.

Fr. Andrew also expressed the parish’s appreciation to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi for lending OLF the statue and relic of St. Padre Pio for the celebration.

The Veneration of the Holy Relic of St. Padre Pio has been extended until Friday, 25 September 2026.

Plans are also underway to purchase a statue of St. Padre Pio from Vietnam for OLF. Parishioners and friends who wish to contribute towards the purchase of the statue are welcome to do so.