It was a vision — Joe Oppedisano’s long-held dream of creating a sacred place dedicated to Padre Pio where the public could come to pray and reflect. On April 26, that dream became a reality. After years of planning, a space dedicated to the beloved Italian saint officially opened around the corner from Oppedisano’s Little Neck restaurant, Il Bacco.
“It’s for everybody to come and reflect and pray and hope and don’t worry. Like Padre Pio said — that was his famous words,” Oppedisano said. “I only got to know him 15 years ago, almost 16, and it changed my life. He changed my life. Obviously, I’m here talking to you right now, so it’s a powerful man… In life you’ve got to believe. And I do believe tremendously.”
