Between Saturday 20 and Tuesday 23 September 2025, the Community of Associates organised the Triduum and the feast in honour of St Pio at the Immacolata Parish in Maglie. For the first time, all the parish associations and the Secular Franciscan Order of Maglie collaborated with the Servants of Suffering.
These were days of intense prayer, reflection, solidarity and brotherhood.
On Saturday 20th, the first day of the Triduum, we had the joy of welcoming Don Antonio Fina, an SdS priest from Grottaglie. After celebrating Mass, he met with the parish community in the hall and gave a wonderful testimony linking the figures of St Pio and our beloved Father Don Pierino Galeone. He recounted some of his experiences with Father Pierino and spoke of hope, filling the assembly with spiritual joy.
On Sunday 21st, the second day of the triduum, the community organised a solidarity dinner called “PRO GAZA”, with the collaboration of parish groups and the full support of parish priests Don Antonio Cagnazzo and Don Marco Giordano.
It was an opportunity for us to demonstrate that we are a beautiful, dynamic and enthusiastic family who work well together.
The dining room service was impeccable, thanks to the young people of AC who were elegantly dressed as waiters. The food, prepared by Franco Maglie - a highly skilled and well-equipped volunteer - was exquisite and plentiful, and was enjoyed by everyone. The collaboration was perfect, the atmosphere serene and joyful, and the impression made on the more than 80 guests was excellent. It was undoubtedly an important moment of charity, prayer and sharing. We sparked a spirit of generosity, giving many the opportunity to take part in this heartfelt initiative. The young man who donated the full amount he had received as a birthday gift made a particularly significant contribution.
The Father certainly lent a hand to ensure everything went smoothly, and He must undoubtedly have been proud of his children.
Shortly before dinner, we met Gennaro Giudetti, a humanitarian worker in Gaza and the son of Angela and Marcello from Taranto. He will be our link with Operazione Colomba, an association working in the field of marginalisation to provide protection for the most vulnerable civilians and respond to emergencies.
Gennaro offered an insider's perspective on the situation in Gaza. He spoke of women and children fleeing in hunger and thirst; of medical treatment being carried out on pavements due to a lack of medicine and facilities. He shared with us the hardship, terror and hunger that pervade the Strip. He then answered questions from the audience and presented his book, which was on sale that evening with all proceeds going to the same cause.
Gennaro's speech shook our consciences deeply and made us reflect at length on the living conditions of people in Gaza, and on how fortunate we are to enjoy so many things we take for granted. We realised that peace is a precious commodity that must be safeguarded through fervent prayer and positive actions, starting with our own efforts to foster peace with those around us.
His Excellency, the Bishop of Otranto, Father Francesco Neri, honoured us by spending the third day of the triduum, the evening of the passing and the feast day with us. He likened Padre Pio to a burning lamp, representing God the Father's mercy towards us, his children.