Padre Pio’s Prayer Groups: A Strong Devotion to the Saint in England

Padre Pio’s Prayer Groups are widespread in Italy and across the world. In the United Kingdom in particular, they bring together devoted followers united by the message of charity of the Friar from Pietrelcina, who, in his name, rediscover a stronger sense of belonging to the Church

On 23 September, the Church celebrates the liturgical memorial of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, one of the most loved and venerated saints in our country. His life was dedicated to prayer, sacrifice, and complete devotion to others, to patient listening, and to a constant desire to relieve the suffering of others. These exceptional gifts of charity and mercy, together with his miraculous gifts as a healer, gave rise to an extraordinary popular devotion to the Saint, which began during his lifetime. His example is heroic, as Pope Francis described it, which explains why even today there are so many Padre Pio prayer groups in Italy and abroad. These groups gather Christians who see in the Saint of Pietrelcina a model to imitate in becoming “instruments of God’s love towards the weakest” (Pope Francis in Pietrelcina, 17 March 2018).

Born in Pietrelcina, in the province of Benevento, on 25 May 1887, Padre Pio displayed an early religious faith, which led him to enter the Capuchin Order at a very young age. In addition to his inclination for charity, Padre Pio’s life was marked by miraculous events and frequent dialogues with God, which would lead him to receive the stigmata, experience mystical visions, be involved in episodes of bilocation, and emit a sweet floral fragrance – a miraculous sign perceptible to those who approached him. Above all, the Saint had the marvellous gift of reading the minds and hearts of his followers. Even during his lifetime, Padre Pio was a figure of extraordinary devotion and affection, and after his death, the convent of San Giovanni Rotondo, where he lived, became a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world.

In this regard, it is interesting to note that Padre Pio is also greatly loved and venerated in the United Kingdom, where both clergy and lay people have organised themselves into prayer groups dedicated to him throughout the country – from Northern Ireland to Wales and Cornwall. In particular, the shrine of Walsingham, the heart of Marian devotion in England, is a significant place for prayer communities, which gather there under the guidance of Franciscan friars to promote a return to communal prayer. But in general, all the English seem particularly receptive to devotion to this Saint, who was so attentive to the suffering of others, so outward-looking in thought, action and feeling. According to testimonies, praying to him and with him fosters in the people of the United Kingdom a strong sense of belonging to the Church as a community of faith and humanity.

Padre Pio’s Prayer Groups: What They Are and What They Do

Padre Pio’s Prayer Groups continue to carry forward the spiritual legacy of Padre Pio, offering a space for prayer, meditation and spiritual growth for those who wish to draw closer to God and strengthen their faith within a community of believers. These Groups arose directly from the primary importance that Padre Pio gave to prayer, recommending his followers practise it as much as possible. Members of the Prayer Groups meet regularly, usually once a month on the same day. In addition to communal prayer and spiritual meditation, they attend Mass and reflect on the Holy Scriptures. Sharing prayer and spiritual experience promotes the growth of each participant, both within the group and in their private experience as a person and as a Christian.

Each Padre Pio Prayer Group is led by a priest appointed by the Bishop, who acts as the spiritual guide for all members, who are also encouraged to manage themselves independently, deciding on the Group’s programmes and activities in line with availability and adapting to the needs of each individual.

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Padre Pio in the World

Devotion to Padre Pio has spread throughout the world, touching the hearts of millions of people from different cultures and beliefs. His holiness has always inspired deep veneration and admiration among the faithful. One need only look at how many Prayer Groups are dedicated to him – groups born as a result of his priestly ministry – which have helped to spread his spiritual message. Across the globe, many devotees gather in his name, in private homes, care homes, hospitals, and many of these groups are coordinated from San Giovanni Rotondo by a commission created specifically: the International Centre for Padre Pio Prayer Groups of San Giovanni Rotondo. This centre also publishes a magazine, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, which since September 1949 has served, among other things, as a bulletin for the activities of the Prayer Groups spread throughout the world. The magazine is monthly and serves as the official publication of the Prayer Groups to spread Padre Pio’s teaching.
National and international conferences are also held in San Giovanni Rotondo, bringing together representatives of Padre Pio’s Prayer Groups from all over Italy and other countries.

The Padre Pio Prayer Group in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, there are over seventy Padre Pio Prayer Groups.
The Padre Pio Prayer Group in Derry, near Belfast, for example, meets on the evening of the first Tuesday of every month. Those who cannot attend in person follow online, as they did during the pandemic. Together, they recite the Holy Rosary, follow Holy Mass, and say prayers to Saint Pio, along with other prayers and the Novena in his name.
In the United Kingdom, compared to other countries, it can be more difficult for associations of the faithful to obtain the bishop’s approval and to find a priest available to guide them, but this does not deter Padre Pio’s devotees. A simple Google search for Padre Pio Prayer Groups reveals just how widespread the love for the Saint of Pietrelcina is across the Channel, in cities and small communities alike. This helps us understand the reach of his message of love and charity, and the spiritual legacy he left behind.

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