On Saturday 28 March, a fraternal gathering took place by the tomb of our beloved Founding Father in preparation for Easter Sunday, attended by the communities of San Giorgio Ionico, Taranto and Maglie.
The Associates spent an hour in Eucharistic Adoration, praying for peace. After the recitation of Vespers, Mother graced us with her presence, sharing a reflection inspired by some of the Father’s homilies. With Easter just a few days away, she invited us to undertake a profound yet practical examination of conscience. Drawing on the heart of the Father’s teachings and inspired by the Gospel of John, she asked us, 'Do you want to be healed?.'
Like the paralytic at the pool of Siloam, we all bear wounds and frailties. Lent is a fruitful time in which we must pray for healing. However, the greatest obstacle is often internal: sometimes we 'love our illness', remaining attached to selfishness, disordered affections, or old habits that prevent us from moving forward.
At its core, the message is a call to practicality. True holiness is not defined by grand gestures, but by our ability to make amends in the small details of our lives. A delay, a petty quarrel, an unkind glance or a hurtful remark: these are the 'chains' that hold us back. The message is clear: we must make amends immediately for every discourtesy or lack of brotherly love. Spiritual healing requires the courage to respond to God with an immediate and firm “Yes”. Only by overcoming the rough patches of daily life can we call ourselves true witnesses of the risen Christ and of Padre Pio’s legacy.
The final message is a cry of hope: 'Take heart, we shall succeed!' Committing to humility and meekness today is the sure path to intimate communion with God - both today on earth and tomorrow in Heaven. He also reminded us that, like the paralytic, if we wish to be healed of our earthly attachments, we must be faithful in the 'little things'.
Father Mino then celebrated Mass, reminding us in his homily that it is not formalities that save us, but the attitude of the heart. Echoing the words of the Father as recounted by the Mother, he emphasised the importance of holiness in the 'little things'. Lent is lived out in daily life by overcoming petty jealousies, resentments, and tantrums. Last but not least is unceasing prayer, as practised by our Father who never left the Holy Rosary out of his hands. In conclusion, we must climb Calvary 'joyfully', following Padre Pio's teaching that the cross should be embraced with courage and joy, not sadness. Life is a Calvary, but facing it with love unites us with Jesus. Padre Pio was the first to bear witness to this love for the cross, becoming the 'Cyrenian' of his spiritual children and bearing their burdens with humility and generosity until the very end.
Finally, we were treated to an unexpected surprise: a greeting from our newly elected president, Enrico, who had intended to pray in seclusion during his term of office but found us, his brothers, praying for him too. He was delighted that several communities had come together, and he hopes that there will be more moments of intercommunity gathering like this to foster our human brotherhood.
As Enrico told us, 'After the mystical, the masticatory': at the end of this lovely afternoon of prayer and friendship, we enjoyed the Agape meal.
To round off the evening, some of us took the opportunity to visit the nearby parish church of the patron saints of Italy, St Francis and St Catherine. This church was designated a Jubilee church to mark the 800^(th) anniversary of the death of St Francis, and we gained a plenary indulgence while there, accompanied by Father Mino.