Church of Holy Family in Ulu Tiram, Johor (Pt. 2 of St Pio's Pilgrimage)

Continuing from Part 1 of St Pio's Pilgrimage.

The actual feast day of St. Pio of Pietrelcina is September 23 but will be celebrated usually on a grander scale on the first Sunday after that date. Hence, the 2D1N pilgrimage to St. Pio's Spirituality Centre in Ulu Tiram, Johor by 3 busloads of pilgrims, comprising mostly of parishioners from SFA Church in Cheras, St Fatima Church in Brickfields and SFX Church in Petaling Jaya.

Saturday, 25 September 2010:

One of the two highlights of the pilgrimage tour was to attend the 3rd day Triduum Mass in conjunction with the celebration of St Pio's Feast at the Church of Holy Family in Ulu Tiram.

It took about an hour's bus ride from Myres Hotel in Kota Tinggi which we used as our base to travel to and fro. Arriving at the Church about half an hour ahead of time, we were able to participate in the 8th day Novena Prayers and the Litany to St Pio of Pietrelcina (appended at the end of post), before the commencement of the Triduum Mass at 8 pm with the feast theme, 'BEC and Mission'.

The main celebrant for the Mass was Fr. John Anandan and concelebrated with the other Capuchin Friars, namely Fr. Michael Raymond, Fr. Ravi Alexander and Fr. Michael Teng. During the homily, Fr. John stressed on Padre Pio's humility and steadfast obedience, whereby he was ordered to cease celebrating Mass and he abided even though he had great devotion to the Holy Eucharist. He who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 18:14) as exemplified by St Pio or Padre Pio as popularly known. He spoke at length about the gifts and talents that God had blessed us with. It's natural to be delighted when one is praised and thanked for services rendered, but should not be offended when none is given. After all, as baptized sons and daughters of our loving and gracious God, we're suppose to use them to build God's kingdom on earth and not for self-glory, ego and power. Fr. John ended his homily by asking us to pray for humility and willingness to obey and live according to God's plan for our lives.

Following that, there was the anointing of the sick with chrism oil for 7-8 registered parishioners. However, Fr. John reminded the congregation that every Eucharistic Mass is a celebration of God's healing for all participants and none is exempted. How reassuring! He further informed that there will be anointing with blessed oil for everyone after the Mass, to reaffirm us all that we're precious children of God whose love and mercy is never-ending.

Mass ended a little over an hour and we headed straight for dinner at a nearby eatery, Restaurant Jin Yu and subsequently back to Myres Hotel in Kota Tinggi for the night.

Church's details:
Church of the Holy Family
Lot 1062 Jalan Bedara
81800 Ulu Tiram
Johor
Tel: +607 8611 263

Sharing below:
Litany to St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Virgin Immaculate, pray for us.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us.
Beloved of God, pray for us.
Imitator of Jesus Christ, pray for us.
Good shepherd of the people, pray for us.
Model for priests, pray for us.
Light of the Church, pray for us.
Adorer of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
Faithful son of St. Francis, pray for us.
Marked with the stigmata of Jesus, pray for us.
Patient in suffering, pray for us.
Helper of the dying, pray for us.
Director of souls,& pray for us.
Heart of gold, pray for us.
Apostle of mercy, pray for us.
Worker of miracles, pray for us.
Consoler of the afflicted, pray for us.
Lover of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
Helper of souls in doubt and darkness, pray for us.
Comforter of the sick, pray for us.
Example of humility, pray for us.
Source of wisdom, pray for us.
Mirror of the divine life, pray for us.
Lover of Jesus Crucified,
Resigned to the will of God, pray for us.
Doing good upon earth, pray for us.
Filled with the spirit of self-sacrifice, pray for us.
Our help and hope in all our needs, pray for us.
Vessel of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Leading us to Christ, pray for us.
Our spiritual father and advocate, pray for us.
Crowned with glory in Heaven, pray for us.

God our Father, You helped St. Pio to reflect the image of Christ
through a life of charity and self-sacrifice,
May we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of
St. Pio of Pietrelcina and by imitating his selfless love.
Amen.

To be continued at Pt. 3: St Pio Spirituality Centre for Feast Celebration