By Br Peter Langgayang, OFMCap and Angila Yong OFS
ULU TIRAM, JOHOR — The Capuchin friars of Johor commemorated the Feast of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina on Sunday, Sep 22 2024, at the St Pio Spirituality Centre in Ulu Tiram, Johor, which serves as the first centre of devotion to St Pio in Malaysia. Traditionally celebrated on Sep 23, this year the feast was advanced due to logistical considerations. Nonetheless, the event successfully attracted a substantial gathering of devotees from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
This year, Bishop Bernard Paul of the Diocese of Melaka-Johore serves as the principal preacher, a shift from the traditional Franciscan Friar. His invitation reflects his alignment with Franciscan values, symbolised by the Tau cross in his coat of arms. His homilies emphasised the importance of prayer in forgiveness, cultivating relationships, and saying “Yes” to God. The Feast focuses on the theme of Prayer, in line with Pope Francis’ call for a year of prayer leading to the 2025 Jubilee year.
The Triduum commenced on Sep 19 at the Holy Family Church in Ulu Tiram, under the theme “Prayer is Forgiveness.” During his homily, Bishop Bernard Paul highlighted the transformative power of prayer in fostering peace and forgiveness. He stated, “When we encounter God in prayer, our anger, fear, and guilt dissipate. It is through this divine encounter that we experience true forgiveness, allowing us to extend forgiveness to others.” He encouraged the congregation to envision themselves seated beneath a waterfall, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of God’s forgiving love and mercy that cascades over them.
On the second day, the theme transitioned to “Prayer is Relationship.” Bishop Bernard urged the congregation to perceive prayer as a means of connecting with God and fostering relationships with those around them. “When we pray, we create space for God to enter our hearts. In this sacred space, we are invited to live in God’s grace and reflect His love to the world,” he stated. He illustrated the concept of being a root in the soil of God’s love, emphasising how such roots can grow and intertwine with others.
The final day of the Triduum, observed on Sep 21, was themed around “Prayer is Saying ‘Yes’.” Bishop Bernard referenced the words of Padre Pio, noting that the life of a Christian is fundamentally a continuous struggle against oneself; the soul can only attain the beauty of its perfection through enduring pain. “Prayer is about surrendering to God,” he stated. “God encounters us in our daily lives, whether at work or at home, and it is in these spaces that we are called to serve.” He illustrated this with the example of Matthew, emphasising that we hear His call, respond, and ultimately choose to follow Him, joining Him in His mission. This journey is a profound affirmation of our commitment to the Lord, as we say “yes” to His voice, His teachings, His ways, and His revelations. Bishop Bernard reiterated that “God meets us where we live or work, and it is there that we are called.”
The feast day on Sunday, Sep 22, took place at the St Pio’s Spirituality Centre grounds. Large tents were set up in the fields for the festivities. Busloads of attendees arrived from Penang, KL, and Singapore, necessitating the addition of extra chairs as the number of pilgrims exceeded 1,100. The event commenced with the recitation of the Rosary, followed by two powerful testimonies from devotees in Rawang, who shared their personal experiences with St Padre Pio’s intercession and the Feast day prayer to St Pio. These heartfelt accounts underscored the saint’s enduring presence in the lives of the faithful, providing both healing and spiritual support.
The day’s highlight was the Holy Mass, celebrated by Bishop Bernard Paul concelebrated with the Capuchin Friars: Fr Joe Matthews, OFMCap; Fr John Anandan, OFMCap; Fr Gilbert, OFMCap; and Fr Martinian Lee, the parish priest of Holy Family Church. Deacon Steven also assisted Bishop Bernard Paul at the Eucharistic table.
In his homily, the Bishop emphasised the significance of humility and simplicity in prayer, highlighting the theme “Prayer is Becoming a Child.” He encouraged the faithful to approach God with a childlike trust and purity. Bishop Bernard quoted St Pio, stating, “Prayer is the oxygen of the soul,” while cautioning that the root of all evil lies in the concepts of “I,” “Me,” and “Mine.” He noted that selfishness and self-centredness can undermine both prayer and our relationships with God and others. Additionally, he referenced St Pio’s advice to “try to unite the simplicity of children with the prudence of adults.” The Bishop warned against self-centredness and urged the congregation to learn from the innocence and sincerity of children, whose simplicity fosters genuine communion with God.
Fr Joe Matthews, OFMCap, the guardian of the St Pio Friary and Spirituality Centre, expressed his gratitude to all who attended the feast despite the challenging road conditions. Devotees from across Malaysia and neighbouring countries made their way to Ulu Tiram, demonstrating their deep devotion to St Padre Pio.
Pilgrims were then treated to a sumptuous lunch. Those who had to leave immediately were given packed lunches for their trip home.
Next year, the Feast of St Padre Pio will be commemorated on Sunday, Sep 21 2025, with the Triduum taking place from Thursday, Sep 18, to Saturday, Sep 20. We encourage future pilgrims and devotees to mark their calendars for this significant occasion. Hopefully the celebration will be held at the newly constructed Church of the Holy Family, which is currently underway. Additionally, we invite retreatants to the St Pio Spirituality Centre which offers a tranquil setting ideal for personal and group retreats. For retreat bookings, please contact Fr Joe Matthews at 012-290 0547. – Today’s Catholic
