Membership and Structure of the Padre Pio Prayer Group

Who May Join

There are three classifications of membership:

  • Full Membership is open to all Roman Catholics, from any parish, who will accept and abide by the Statutes as approved by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II in 1986. Full Members must be of legal age in Illinois. Full Members will hold voting privileges and may stand for and hold an elected office in the Prayer Group.
  • Associate Membership is open to young people who have been confirmed in the Faith. This classification carries full voting privileges.
  • Junior Membership is open to children who have made their First Holy Communion. There are no voting privileges in this category.

All those who wish to become Members until the time of the initial election of Officers, will be Charter Members of The Padre Pio Prayer Group in St. John Cantius.

Membership Responsibilities

All Members are expected to make every effort to faithfully attend the Padre Pio Prayer Group at its scheduled monthly devotions. It is the power of our uniting in the offering of the Mass and in the special devotions which will fulfill the purpose of our formation into this Prayer Group. Additionally, all members are strongly encouraged to regularly pray for and visit those who are in hospitals.

Elected Offices

The Archbishop, under the Statutes, has appointed Father C. Frank Phillips, C.R., the Spiritual Director of The Padre Pio Prayer Group at St. John Cantius Parish. The Statutes require that Cardinal George also approve those nominated to the elected offices of the Prayer Group.

Offices may be held by any member of the Roman Catholic Church, from any parish, who is of legal age in the State of Illinois and is a Full Member in The Padre Pio Prayer Group.

There are three elected offices:

  • Group Leader
  • Vice-Group Leader
  • Secretary / Treasurer

The Group Leader and Vice-Group Leader will be those individuals who receive the most and second-most votes for Group Leader, respectively.

In the event the Group Leader cannot fulfill the obligations of the Office, the Vice-Group Leader will assume that Office. These individuals will work together to represent The Padre Pio Prayer Group at any special events, annual meetings, and conferences or fill requests for presentations or information. They may plan events and meetings and generally promote The Padre Pio Prayer Group.

The Secretary/Treasurer will maintain responsible financial records of income and expenses; file required financial reports, keep reasonable records of our meetings and activities for the National Office and handle appropriate correspondence.

At all times, the elected Officers act under the authority and with the permission of our appointed Spiritual Director, who has final determination on all matters related to The Padre Pio Prayer Group.

Election Procedures

Nominations for office are submitted two ways: any member may, with permission, propose the name of a Full Member; or Full Members may submit their own names for office.

Officers are elected by a simple majority, by ballot. In the event of a tie, a second vote will be taken. The Member with the most total votes assumes the office. The term of office is five years.

Immediately after the first election of officers of The Padre Pio Prayer Group in St. John Cantius, we will forward our application for membership, endorsed by Francis Cardinal George, to the National and International Offices of Padre Pio Prayer Groups. Our Charter will be issued upon receipt of our application.

Dues, Fees, Operating Costs

There are no dues or fees required for membership, although the members may be decide to take up free-will offerings or make contributions to help defray set-up costs, printing and mailing costs, the purchase of Padre Pio items for sale, and local promotion of The Padre Pio Prayer Group.

One of the statutes governing the formation of this Group states that any monies raised or generated by the Group which are in excess of operating costs will go entirely to the ‘Home for the Relief of Suffering’ (La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza). A financial accounting is submitted to the National Office on a regular basis by the elected Secretary/Treasurer.

We do have access to a number of religious items such as Padre Pio chaplets, rosaries, statues and books, which members may decide to make available at a modest markup. These will be sold through the St. John Cantius parish bookstore or members may sell them to friends and relatives. Again, any monies realized in excess of operating costs will go ‘the Home’ and all funds will be accounted for on a regular basis.

Meetings and Prayer Services

We will have regularly scheduled services, which will include the recitation of the Chaplet of Padre Pio, prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, for the continued growth and success of the Home for the Relief of Suffering and for our own personal intentions. The Tridentine Mass will be offered and the Prayer of Padre Pio After Communion will be recited at the end of Mass.

Following the sacrifice of the Mass, a brief meeting with light refreshment will be held in the church hall. Topics for discussion at the meetings include Group business matters, Padre Pio-related news, correspondence from the National Office and other relevant information.

Like all of life’s wonderful blessings, Padre Pio is to be shared. Relatives and friends are always welcome to join the devotional services and everyone is encouraged to introduce other Catholics to The Padre Pio Prayer Group.

“Pray that the activity of the Prayer Groups will strengthen our devotion and be a source of grace for those who are still in darkness and have not seen the light of faith."—Msgr. Riccardo Ruotolo, Director General, Padre Pio Prayer Groups


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