Procession of around 1,400 Capuchins at Vatican It was an unique event for the Church as well as for the Capuchin Order
that the mortal remains of two Capuchin saints, St. Pio of Pietrelcina and
St. Leopold of Mandic, are kept for the public veneration in St. Peter’s
Basilica at the Vatican Rome, from 5th to 11th February, as icons of Mercy
of God. On 9th February, at 7.30 a.m, around 1,400 Capuchin friars from
around the world had the privilege of celebrating the Holy Eucharist with
Pope Francis in the Vatican Basilica at the very spot where this exposition
is taking place.
Pope Francis in his extempore homily highlighted the great pastoral charism
of the Capuchins as Confessors, giving the example of these two saints who
spent their life time in the confessional, and pointed out clearly the
compassionate approach of imparting pardon and mercy to the penitents who
come imploring forgiveness. After the Mass and breakfast, the Capuchin
friars gathered at this occasion, took a penitential procession in the
Piazza of St. Peter’s and entered the Holy Door of the Jubilee Year. This
was also a jubilant moment for us, Capuchins of Karnataka province, to meet
each other at this extraordinary event.
