Call to Serve!!!

In light of the feast day of Saint Padre Pio on September 23, I want to share a piece of the homily that Blessed John Paul II gave at the canonization Mass. "I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because... these things...you have revealed to little ones (Mt 11:25)." "How appropriate are these words of Jesus, when we think of them as applied to you, humble and beloved Padre Pio. Teach us...humility of heart so we may be counted among the little ones of the Gospel, to whom the Father promised to reveal the mysteries of His Kingdom" - from Pope John Paul II's homily for the canonization of Padre Pio, June 26, 2002 (August 2012, "The Priest," 29). Saint Padre Pio gave of himself in service to Christ and his Church. He was a very faithful, dedicated, humble servant of the Lord. As Saint Padre Pio used to say of himself, "I am a poor Franciscan who prays." He touched many lives during his time on earth and he continues to do so among the saints in heaven. The article from "The Priest" magazine also pointed out, "The Church is putting us on this journey aas well. Although it is nine weeks away, the Church is putting us on the pilgrimage to the Second Coming, a journey to the feast of Christ the King. To get there, we must understand who Jesus is and what it means to be His disciple" (29). We are called to be a disciple of Jesus, to pick up our cross and follow him. We are called to serve. Again, we seek the intercession of the holy men and women who have gone before us as we strive to live our call to holiness and to service. God Bless You!!!