General Principles of the Padre Pio Prayer Group

at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago

I wish to thank the Lord with you for having given Padre Pio to this generation in this very tormented century. In his love for God and for his brothers, he is a sign of great hope, and he invites us all not to leave him alone in the mission of charity. – Pope John Paul II, San Giovanni Rotondo, 1987)

On January 26, 2001, Chicago Archbishop, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., officially approved the formation of a Vatican sanctioned Padre Pio Prayer Group at St. John Cantius Parish. The group is open to all Roman Catholics from any parish. It is affiliated with the International Association of Padre Pio Prayer Groups under the control of the Director General of the Foundation. “La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza” (Home for the Relief of Suffering), which is the hospital founded by Padre Pio and dedicated in 1956.

Operating exclusively under statutes approved by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, through a letter from the Secretary of State, Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, and dated 3 May 1986 (No. 160.9771A), the International Association of Prayer Groups’ administrative offices are in San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy.

The five general principles which the Padre Pio Prayer Group follow are:

  1. Total and unconditional adherence to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, guided by the Pope and his Bishops;
  2. Obedience to the Pope and the Bishops whose representative, in each group, is the Spiritual Director;
  3. Prayer with the Church, through the Church, and in the Church;
  4. A willingness to share in the sufferings of Christ, as an effective means of reparation; and
  5. Generosity and self-sacrifice in undertaking works of charity for the suffering and the needy.

There are no dues. The Spiritual Director appointed for the St. John Cantius group by Francis Cardinal George is Fr. Frank Phillips, C.R., pastor. Elections among the members are held annually to select a Lay Director and a Secretary. The Group meets once every month for prayer and celebration of the Mass at St. John Cantius Church.

Saint Padre Pio, Pray For Us!


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