Bishops on Annual Retreat Celebrate Memorial of Padre Pio and Pray for Rain for Drought-Stricken Regions

Bishops Concelebrating at Mass, extending both their hands with palms down over the offerings

PORT MORESBY, 23 September 2026 — The Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (PNGSI), currently on their Annual Retreat, celebrated Holy Mass today for the Memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina at the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) Chapel in Port Moresby.

The retreat, which began on Monday and will conclude on Friday, is being facilitated by His Eminence Mykola Cardinal Bychok, C.Ss.R., Eparch of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne.

The homily was delivered by Most Rev. Rochus Tatamai, M.S.C., Archbishop of Rabaul, who recalled the saint's humble origins and profound spiritual legacy.

"Pio of Pietrelcina, widely known as Padre Pio, was an Italian friar of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, priest, stigmatist, and mystic," Archbishop Tatamai said. "He was born as Francesco Forgione in the small village of Pietrelcina in southern Italy on 25 May 1887, joined the Capuchin Friars at the age of 16, was ordained a priest seven years later, and spent 50 years at the friary of San Giovanni Rotondo, where he was greatly sought after as a spiritual director, confessor, and intercessor."

The saint died on 23 September 1968 at the age of 81 and was buried at the Sanctuary of Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace in San Giovanni Rotondo. He was canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 2002.

Centering his homily on ten sayings of Padre Pio, Archbishop Tatamai linked the saint's message to the Church's synodal journey and to the bishops' own retreat.

Most Rev. Rochus Tatamai, M.S.C., Archbishop of Rabaul during Homily

1. On Trust in Providence

"Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer."

Archbishop Tatamai said this, the most famous saying of Padre Pio, resonates deeply today. In a ministry often marked by stress and anxiety, he urged his brother bishops, as chief shepherds, to surrender their burdens to God rather than give in to worries that rob them of peace of mind and heart.

2. On Redemptive Suffering

"The longer the trial to which God subjects you, the greater the goodness in comforting you during the time of trial and in the exaltation after the combat."

Suffering should not be seen as punishment but as a redemptive process that unites us more closely with Christ's own suffering, the Archbishop stressed. This was lived by Padre Pio himself. In September 1918, he received the stigmata — the five wounds of Christ on his hands, feet, and side — which he bore for 50 years until his death. Despite the pain, he spent up to 10 hours a day hearing confessions, with the gift of reading hearts.

3 & 4. On Holiness and Struggle

"If the world could see the beauty of a soul without sin, all sinners, all unbelievers would instantly be converted."

"The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self..."

Following in the footsteps of St. Peter Chanel, St. Peter To Rot, St. Arnold Janssen, Blessed Giovanni Mazzucconi, and the Martyrs of Papua New Guinea, the Church in PNGSI is called to strive for holiness through confession and repentance, Archbishop Tatamai said.

5. On Perseverance

"God won't allow you to be lost if you persist in your determination not to lose Him."

This offers hope in moments of spiritual dryness, he noted. "He is Emmanuel — God with us — even when we feel distant."

6 & 7. On Prayer of the Heart

"You must speak to Jesus also with the heart, besides the lips... Heart speaks to heart."

"In books we seek God; in prayer we find Him. Prayer is the key which opens God's heart."

In a world dominated by information and communications technology, social media, and the challenges of artificial intelligence, Padre Pio calls us back to heartfelt prayer and Eucharistic adoration, especially for seminarians, priests, and religious.

8. On Carrying the Cross

"The Lord sometimes makes you feel the weight of the Cross... but you are willing to carry it because the Lord helps you."

At times in ministry, we become like Simon of Cyrene for others, the Archbishop reflected. Christ never leaves us to carry the burden alone.

9. On Humility and Purity

"Humility and purity are the wings which carry us to God and make us almost divine."

In a world obsessed with pride and self-sufficiency, these foundational virtues bring us closer to the Triune God, he said.

10. On the Call to Sainthood

"It's difficult to become a saint. Difficult, but not impossible. The road to perfection is long, as long as one's life."

Archbishop Tatamai concluded that holiness is not unattainable, but a lifelong journey sustained by grace. "Heaven begins on earth."

"Each of these sayings captures key aspects of Catholic spirituality — trust in God, the value of suffering, the importance of prayer, and the call to holiness — which makes Padre Pio's teaching timeless and especially resonant for us today in PNGSI," the Archbishop said.

During the Mass at the CBC Chapel, the bishops offered special prayers for those who are suffering, particularly for rain in the drought-stricken regions of Papua New Guinea affected by El Niño, and for the safety of travellers by sea and by road.

The Annual Retreat continues with prayer, reflection, and fraternal sharing until Friday.

Padre Pio