Hymn:        A hymn that focuses on discipleship, such as The Galilee Song (Frank Anderson) or The Call (Iona Community).

God of mercy and love, you called your servant Padre Pio to extend the mystery of the cross visibly into the lives of sinners and sufferers, that they might be converted and believe in the Gospel. Through his intercession, strengthen all believers in willingness to take up the cross daily and follow Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Canticle of Isaiah Isaiah 52:13-15; 53: 2-5

"Just watch my servant blossom!
Exalted, tall, head and shoulders above the crowd!

But he didn't begin that way.
At first everyone was appalled.
He didn't even look human--
a ruined face, disfigured past recognition.

Nations all over the world will be in awe, taken aback,
kings shocked into silence when they see him.
For what was unheard of they'll see with their own eyes,
what was unthinkable they'll have right before them."

The servant grew up before God--a scrawny seedling,
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.

He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.

But the fact is, it was our pains he carried--
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.

But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him--our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.

Glory to you ...

I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

With confidence in the mercy of the Crucified, let us pray through the intercession of Saint Pio:                R/ Lord have mercy.

For those who give their lives to the mystery of the cross for the sake of others: grant them the courage of their vocation.     R/ Lord have mercy.

For those who suffer without understanding the value of their suffering: teach them to put their hope in the cross.     R/ Lord have mercy.

For those who reject suffering: let the suffering of others enlighten them.     R/ Lord have mercy.