For the Glory of God

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“You must always humble yourself lovingly before God and before men, because God speaks only to those who are truly humble and He enriches them with His gifts.“

– Padre Pio

Several years ago, I made a pilgrimage to Seattle’s St. James Cathedral to venerate the relics of a little saint who made a great impact on me. St. Thérèse was a humble young woman who died at the age of 24, never having gone very far from home, yet she was canonized just a few years after her death and later named a Doctor of the Church by St. John Paul II.

The Cathedral was packed, standing room only. I squeezed into a side aisle for Mass, and waited over two hours just to file past the little saint’s relics. When I left, there was still a long line of people waiting outside. This humble saint was showered with honor and love by the many people whose lives she touched.


This month, I had the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of St. Mary in Portland, Oregon, to venerate the relics of another humble saint, Padre Pio.

Born in 1887 in southern Italy, St. Pio, like Thérèse, entered religious life when he was only fifteen. He was ordained a priest in 1910. In 1918, he received the stigmata: the wounds of Christ appeared on his body, remaining there until his death in 1968. He was beloved during his life, spent in an obscure monastery in San Giovanni Rotondo. He suffered greatly from the physical pain of the wounds he bore and from the spiritual attacks against him. In 1956, he opened the Home for the Relief of the Suffering, the great work of his life. Today, this hospital is a model for faithful Catholic healthcare.

Today, St. Pio is beloved worldwide. Those who ask his intercession attest to the miracles they have received. Crowds gather everywhere to venerate his relics. It’s not too late to make a pilgrimage to honor this humble saint: on November 7th, St. Pio’s relics will visit Holy Family in Yakima.

These humble saints depended only on the Lord’s mercy, like the tax collector in today’s readings. The Lord has lifted them up to honor in heaven, listening to their prayers of intercession. The Lord will hear your humble prayer, too. In every need, turn to Jesus, and trust in Him to hear the prayer of your broken heart. 

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted...” Ps 34:19 

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