“Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina 



Greetings! 
 
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing today as a follow up to the letter and flyer I sent your way detailing information about an exciting and prayer-filled opportunity for your parishioners and community members coming up this September at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In case you haven’t received the letter and flyer just yet, here is the information – along with some helpful links – that was sent your way.
The Saint Pio Foundation has organized a first-time tour in the United States of the official relics of Padre Pio, on the occasion of the 130 ^th anniversary of his birth and the 15 ^th anniversary of his canonization. St. Patrick’s Cathedral has been blessed to welcome these beautiful and holy relics for full veneration throughout the day on  Sunday, September 17, 2017 and Monday, September 18, 2017 from 7:00am-8:00pm each day, to commemorate their first stop on this once in a lifetime American tour. It is our hope that all faithful can have a moving experience with the most holy relics of Padre Pio – which includes one of his blood-stained gloves and his personal mantle (cloak). Here is the link for more information about this veneration weekend:  www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/padrepio. Please feel free to share this information with your parishioners, school community, and wider community members, and place it in your parish bulletin (or anywhere else that may be useful!). 
 
Since we are anticipating thousands of more guests and tourists than usual to an already heavily-visited Cathedral, I would like to extend a more  personal invitation to your parishioners to venerate and visit with these relics. I encourage you to call Ms. Sylvia Rivas, at 646.537.7830 ext. 828 or contact her via email at  [email protected] to register for a group visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Veneration of the relics is free of charge of course, and Sylvia will be able to assign your group a time that works best for you. No group is too large or too small, or too old or too young. All are most welcome! 
 
Additionally, in cooperation with the Saint Pio Foundation, St. Patrick’s Cathedral will be hosting a  private welcome reception to raise support for the Saint Pio Foundation and the charitable organizations they have partnered with, reduce the expenses incurred in making the relics available for this U.S. visit, and continue to sustain various social and community programs here at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This event and reception will take place on  Saturday evening, September 16, 2017, and will  begin with some sacred music - a concert performed by The Sistine Chapel Choir at St. Patrick’s Cathedral – and end with a welcome reception offering all guests a unique opportunity to participate in an intimate presentation and conversation on the holy relics of Padre Pio, in the presence of  two special guests and good-will ambassadors for the Saint Pio Foundation, actors Robert Davi and Tony Lo Bianco. Additionally, the kneeler of Venerable Fulton Sheen will be available for prayer and adoration throughout the evening . Registration and full event information can be found within the following link:  www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/padrepio  or by calling James Cappabianca at 646.537.7830 ext. 822. 
 
I look forward to welcoming you and your parishioners to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for this magnificent event, and am always grateful for our continued partnership in service to the wider Church here in New York and beyond. Feel free to reach out to any one of us at any time. 
 
Sincerely yours in Christ, 

Reverend Monsignor Robert T. Ritchie
Rector, St. Patrick’s Cathedral