MANILA, Philippines — The heart relic of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on board Qatar Airways past 10 p.m. last Friday.
The relic that is transported in a hard case was hand carried by a priest and was displayed at the NAIA lounge for officials and employees to see.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal, officials from other government offices and airline personnel line up to welcome the relic and were allowed to touch the relic of Saint Padre Pio.
The relic will be brought to Batangas, Manila, Cebu and Davao and will be in the country until Oct. 26.
It was reported that it would be a time of grace for Filipinos, most especially the devotees of Padre Pio. Padre Pio has a shrine in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
Born on May 25, 1887, Padre Pio is one of the most popular saints in the Catholic Church.
He carried the stigmata, the wounds of Christ that miraculously appeared on the saint’s body.
Padre Pio died on Sept. 23, 1968 and many miracles attributed to the saint have increased the devotion to him of believers.
The Catholic Church proclaimed him a saint on June 16, 2002.
Related video: