St. Padre Pio
St. Padre Pio was an Italian priest who was known for his charity and love for the people around him. He is also known as St. Pio of Pietrelcina. He is one of my all-time favourite patrons and celebrates his feast on 23rd September. St. Padre Pio is recognized as the patron saint of civil defence worker, adolescents, Saint of Pain, Suffering and Healing.
St. Pio bore the wounds of Christ and his wounds smelled like perfume, which is still something that cannot be explained. He is also a good intercessor for confessions. Along with his gifts of Bilocation and Levitation, he saw and spoke to Jesus, Mary, and his guardian angel.
Listed below are some activities we can do with our kids to explain and show them the significance of the feast of St. Padre Pio:
1. Share the story of St. Pio:
We can take out time to explain to the kids what the feast of St. Padre Pio is all about. Read a story of Saint Pio from the saints’ book, or his biography. You can let them watch a video also.
2. St. Pio Craft:
Some simple paper craft ideas revolving around the person of St. Pio. Have them outline the sketch of their hands on a brown construction paper, cut them and have white strip paper stick on the outline of the hand and draw a red mark on the white strip to look like wound. This will show the stigmata wounds.
3. St. Pio Colouring page:
One of his famous quotes is worth reflecting on.
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”
This is available as a free download on the Faith Blocks Resources for kids and adults alike.
4. Food:
Roll chapati dough and make an impression of the hand, make a hole in between to show the stigmata wound in the hand. You could also make some cookies, brown colour indicating St Pio’s Congregation, Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. Another alternative could be hand imprinted cookies using rice Krispies and a cherry in-between the palm of the hand.
September is a month of many special feast. If you are yet to celebrate them with your little ones do visit our page.
Our shop also has a lot of exciting goodies to make learning about our Saints exciting. Do visit and see whether you want to use them or gift them.
Thanks to contributions from Jennifer Allen.
