We pray a decade of the rosary and recite the St. Michael the Archangel prayer daily for weekly intentions. Padre Pio was one of the greatest Saints of all time; he was declared a Saint by St. John Paul on June 16th, 2002. There are saints who have been known for healing; there are saints who could "read" souls; there are saints who were known for levitation; there were saints who bore the stigmata, or were seen in apparition, or who had the “odor of sanctity.” There are saints who could understand languages they didn't know. But Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, had ALL these charismas, and more. In fact, not since St. Francis of Assisi has there been such a miracle-worker. At Padre Pio’s invitation, Prayer Groups were spontaneously springing up and taking on a more stable form; their sole desire was to pray and pray together. They began as a support for the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House for the Relief of Suffering), and as a response to Padre Pio’s appeal: "Never grow weary of praying. Prayer penetrates the heart of God and obtains the graces needed"
In a world armed for war, Padre Pio wanted a world armed with prayer: Prayer is the best weapon we have, and the key to God’s heart. Padre Pio, through the stigmata he bore and the life of prayer he led, understood the sufferings of the infirm, as well as the prayers of both the sick and the healthy. 'Let us gather periodically for prayer in common. Today’s society does not pray, that is why it is falling apart' (Padre Pio). The idea of Prayer Groups was promoted and supported by Padre Pio because he envisioned them and God’s instruments of relief for a suffering world. Knowing that alone he could do little for those who suffer throughout the world, Padre Pio organized the Prayer Groups so that they would be a source of constant prayer embracing all those around the world who were needy in either body or soul.
~~OUR GROUP CHARISMS~~
1. Michael the Archangel prayer every day, for intentions as stated each week
