St. Padre Pio's relics are touring the US!

Washington D.C., May 2, 2017 / 12:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Relics of St. Padre Pio will soon be touring the United States, with stops at a number of dioceses during a two-part tour later this year.

The relics will be on display for veneration between Masses at cathedrals across America from May 6-21 and again From September 16 – October 1 this year.

The tour is taking place to commemorate the 130th anniversary of Padre Pio’s birth, and the 15th anniversary of his canonization. It is being sponsored by the Saint Pio Foundation, which works to promote awareness of the saintly priest and continue his work. The foundation raises funds for American Catholic healthcare as well as educational, social, religious, and cultural organizations.

Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione in Pietrelcina, Italy on May 25, 1887.

He voiced a desire for the priesthood at age 10 and entered the Capuchin order at age 15, taking the name Pio. At the age of 23, he was ordained a priest.

The saint was widely known during his lifetime as a mystic. He dedicated much of his priesthood to hearing confessions. People would travel from around the world to have their confessions heard by Padre Pio, as he had the gift of being able to read souls.

He also received the stigmata, or the wounds of Christ, and was known for being able to heal people. He was reported to bi-locate, or appear in two locations at once.

Padre Pio died Sept. 23, 1968 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

The schedule for the relic tour is below:

• May 6-8 at Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
• May 9 at Saint Paul Cathedral in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
• May 10-11 at Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in the Archdiocese of Denver.
• May 13 at Cathedral of the Risen Christ in the Diocese of Lincoln.
• May 18-19 at St. Andrew Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
• May 20-21 at Saint Ann Catholic Church in the Diocese of Arlington.
• September 17-18 at St. Patrick Cathedral in the Archdiocese of New York.
• September 20 at Cathedral St. Joseph the Workman in the Diocese of La Crosse.
• September 20 at Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
• September 22-23 at Basilica of St. John the Baptism in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
• September 24 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
• September 29 at Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in the Diocese of Saginaw.