“Encountering Padre Pio” is an educational project dedicated to groups of guests interested in learning about Padre Pio. The program includes a documentary about the life of Padre Pio, a photo exhibition, with our Foundation being the only U.S. entity authorized to use authentic pictures of Padre Pio, and a presentation by a priest for each event in the series, who will speak about the life of Padre Pio, and will celebrate mass in honor of the Saint.
Msgr. Hilary Franco, a well-known priest that confessed and celebrated mass with Padre Pio is the spiritual director of this project.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN GUESTS ATTEND THE "ENCOUNTERING PADRE PIO" PROJECT?
Guests will be expected to spend between two to three hours with us. The educational project will be available to any group of 20 or more guests during any week days (depending on the availability) from 09:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M..
A Saint Pio Foundation staff member will greet the group and will accompany them into The Generoso Pope Memorial Lecture Hall, where they will be briefed about the work of the Saint Pio Foundation, the current initiatives dedicated to Padre Pio, and where guests will also be able to watch a video documentary about the life of Padre Pio of the length of 30 minutes. After the video documentary, as the case it might be, a speaker priest will initiate a talk about Padre Pio.
Following guests will be accompanied in The Calabria Exhibit Hall, where they will have the unique opportunity to watch a photo exhibition, with our Foundation being the only U.S. entity authorized to use authentic pictures of Padre Pio. In the same room, guests will be able to attend a mass celebrated by a priest (priest might accompany the group or he will be invited by the Saint Pio Foundation).
Finally, for those groups that would like to have a full Italian experience, they can spend additional time for a buffet lunch in the Arpaise Exhibit Hall (this option is in addition) before returning back to their homes, with hearts fulfilled with hope and love.