Glove and Bandage of Padre Pio
Veneration of saints’ relics has always been an important devotion at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as a profound connection with our elder brothers and sisters in the Communion of Saints, a sign that heaven is never far from daily life. During the weekend of June 15–16, 2024, the Shrine welcomes a precious pair of relics: a glove and bandage of Padre Pio, the beloved confessor, mystic, and stigmatist.
Glove and Bandage of Padre Pio
The bandage was used to cover the wound on Padre Pio’s side, and remains stained with the saint’s blood, making it a first-class relic. The glove is considered a second-class relic; while it, too, covered one of his wounds, Padre Pio’s gloves were washed regularly during his life. These relics are touring the United States for a year in honor of the 25th anniversary of his beatification.
Inspiration for the Centre
The relics are ordinarily kept at the National Centre for Padre Pio in Barto, PA, founded by Vera and Harry Calandra in 1971. Vera Calandra, with the help of her husband and other family and friends, set out to spread devotion to Padre Pio after her daughter received a life-saving miracle through his intercession. The Calandra family continues to manage the Centre, which holds the largest collection of Padre Pio’s relics outside of Italy.
Coming to the Shrine
The relics are ordinarily kept at the National Centre for Padre Pio in Barto, PA, founded by Vera and Harry Calandra in 1971. Vera Calandra, with the help of her husband and other family and friends, set out to spread devotion to Padre Pio after her daughter received a life-saving miracle through his intercession. The Calandra family continues to manage the Centre, which holds the largest collection of Padre Pio’s relics outside of Italy.
