The heart of Saint Padre Pio was presented in Boston's North End on Wednesday night, under heavy security, as thousands waited in line for a glimpse of the major relic at St. Leonard Church. This is the first time a relic of St. Pio of Pietrelcina has left Italy where the body of St. Pio is permanently exposed for veneration by millions of devotees who visit the Shrine of San Giovanni Rotondo.

The faithful were invited to pray before the heart relic which was held by Fr. Antonio Nardoianni and other priests for the rare five hour evening gathering at the North End church. "We know that many people throughout our country have a great devotion to Padre Pio, so the friars have made this possible especially for those who are not able to travel to San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy to venerate his relics and pray for his intercession," Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley said in a statement.

Read more

Source: http://northendwaterfront.com/