The Our Lady of Grace Chapel and iconic arches Photos by New York Scugnizzo |
It was a picture-perfect day to visit the Centre |
Bronze statues of Padre Pio with children and Padre Raffaele di Sant'Elia a Pianisi greet visitors on their Arrival |
In addition to the chapel and spiritual sites, the Centre boasts an impressive museum, cultural center, gift shop, and café |
There was also an outdoor food court and picnic area |
With plenty of time to kill before Mass, our group found a shady tent outside the gift shop to have lunch |
(Above & below) We enjoyed some delicious homemade focaccia Barese and torta di carciofi alla Calabrese |
Because it was the Saturday Ember Day of Autumn, I had just a sliver of each |
(L) A view from the arches built to resemble the friary in San Giovanni Rontondo, Foggia. (R) A peek into the courtyard |
Votive candles line the walls of the courtyard |
An outdoor shrine to Sant'Antonio di Padova |
Sant'Antonio and the Madonna del Romitello |
The outdoor shrine to the Madonna del Romitello |
(Above & below) The Centre is home to Maria Ss. del Soccorso di Castelfranci, Avellino and San Michele Arcangelo, protettore di Sturno, Avellino |
Our Lady and San Michele vanquishing the devil |
Glorious San Michele |
Smiting Satan |
Above the main altar in the Madonna della Grazie chapel are paintings of Saint John the Baptist, Our Lady of Grace, and St. Paul the Apostle |
In the sanctuary are statues of St. Elizabeth of Portugal and (I believe) St. Louis IX, King of France |
On the first side altar on the right is St. Francis of Assisi with relic |
Below him lies Santa Massimiana, virgin, martyr and patroness of San Giovanni Rotondo |
(L) The second side altar on the right is dedicated to St. Felix Cantilice. (R) The actual confessional used by Padre Pio to hear the confessions of women in San Giovanni |
A glove relic is on display inside the confessional |
A copy of Luca Giordano's The Patron Saints of Naples Adoring Christ on the Cross hangs above the confessional |
Statues of the Madonna della Libera and Madonna di Fatima in the Museum |