On Saturday we were blessed enough to visit not one, but two
shrines and Bey’s Rock Shop. No matter
your religious belief there is no doubt that the land of holy places emits a
different vibration than your back yard.
We visited the Pio center first. The National Centre of Padre Pio is set amongst
the hills of the Lehigh Valley in Barto, PA.
As you drive by you can see this immense structure with a bit of European
flair sitting on a lovely open piece of land.
The energy is one of peace and solitude.
The crowds have lessened since Mass at the shrine has been removed, but
busses still arrive every so often.
Folks are amazed at the museum which houses exact replicas of the famous
monk’s living quarters as well as multiple artifacts. A clip from the TV show “Unsolved Mysteries”
can be seen, delving into the life of this simple man who bore the stigmata
from a young age.
The National Centre for Padre Pio, it’s the only
organization recognized by the Vatican and the Capuchin Friary in San Giovanni
Rotondo, Italy - as the official center for spreading devotion to Padre Pio in
North America. One of the relics readily
available to anyone who wishes to hold it is a glove that was worn by the
saint. The glove is encased in glass,
but just ask for it at the gift shop if it isn’t already available in the
church or chapel. Those of you who know
me also know that I attribute the disappearance of my RA to the intercession of
Padre Pio. I admit it, I am biased, and
will encourage every one of you to hold the glove and ask for whatever healing
it is you feel you may need.
Once everyone had arrived we gathered together for a short
meditation. Messages were received and
we ended with a group prayer. It was quite
a beautiful experience. Afterwards we
were free to roam the grounds, explore the museum and gift shop, or pray
individually. There was an exhibit
referencing many (if not all) of the Eucharistic miracles ever recorded.
We left the Pio Center and headed over to Bey’s Rock Shop,
where I noticed everyone found some treasures to take home with them. We said out goodbyes to those traveling in
other cars, and then we stopped for dinner.
There were three of us in one car, and decided to do a drive
by The Shrine of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA.
Seriously though, who can just do a drive by? We had to stop and check it out. Plus two out of three wanted to find a
restroom. The place was closed, but the
difference of the vibration of the land there in comparison to the Padre Pio
Shrine was quite noticeable. While the
Pio Center is all peace and quiet with a bit of solemnness to it, Czestochowa
seemed to hum with expectation. We
arrived around 7pm and it was still light out. When we climbed the steps to the
big church we could look out one way and see Montgomery County, another way and
see Doylestown, including the hospital and the county courthouse. The view is breathtaking no matter what time
of year you are there, and seeing the trees somewhat in bloom for miles and
miles is strikingly beautiful. If we had
been able to enter the downstairs chapel, we would have seen the many crutches,
braces, and other displays of left behind remnants from miraculous accounts of
healing.
Why such a noticeable difference in the two? Czestochowa has been around quite a bit
longer than Pio’s. Pilgrimages to the
shrine of Czestochowa began in 1955, trip to the Pio Center started in the 1990’s. It has hundreds of thousands of visitors each
year, while Pio’s only has tens of thousands.
I have had many minor miracles through the intercession of Our Lady
through prayers offered up at Czestochowa, including working for an
organization that was “impossible” to get into unless you knew someone (hmmmm…
I guess Our Lady counts there). I often
run there and “present” what I want/need when I think it’s really important,
and almost always get my wish. Czestachowa
is one of the top 10 Shrines in the USA.
(Three of the top 10 are in PA!)
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