SAN ANTONIO • For parishioners of the Shrine of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, the day had finally arrived! The construction had begun. The 29 acres of land, once unoccupied with exception of trees, deer and wild hogs, had now taken on a new and long awaited look. Large machinery has invaded the property and begun to remove trees that were not designated to be preserved, leveled the land where the first building, called a worship center surrounded by eight classrooms, will be constructed. The driveways have been fashioned from the rough terrain that has been there for many years. The dust is in the air. After a long and patient wait, almost six years, parishioners arrived at a crossroads.

    The official groundbreaking ceremony was held March 25 with Archbishop José H. Gomez presiding. One of the highlights of the ceremony was the children. They were supplied with special commemorative spoons, shaped like a coal shovel with a picture of St. Padre Pio on the end of the handle. As the archbishop, along with four other representatives of the parish turned the first spade of dirt, the children surrounded the area and helped with this special dig.

    The worship center will have the same dimensions of a gymnasium, with a projected seating capacity of 750. However, the liturgical atmosphere will not appear as a gym, but a place for the faithful to gather for the celebration of Mass. At the same time, this first building is not the end of the process.

    Preparations will begin immediately for the next step in the overall master plan, the construction of the shrine. Because of the expense of the shrine, which eventually will seat 1,200, it was deemed more advantageous to have a site for people to call their own, which is what this first building will be. One of the classrooms will be converted to a day chapel for daily Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
    The worship center is in need of numerous items. Plans are to purchase 800 wood and fabric covered chairs to serve the congregation and choirs.

    In addition, donors are being sought for the main altar, pulpit, candle sticks, processional candles, processional crucifix, presider chair, altar server chairs and even linens for the altar of sacrifice. All of these items are needed by the move-in date of mid-December this year. Those interested in assisting may send an e-mail to stpadrepio@sbcglobal.net.

    The children, who have been bringing up their offerings over the past five years, have collected more than $25,000 toward the purchase of the tabernacle that will be used in this worship center and later in the shrine. Their offerings are kept separate from the regular collection for this purpose.
    “We will never have to look back with regret, as we have joined our prayers and dreams for this moment in the ongoing growth of this parish,” said Msgr. Patrick J. Ragsdale, pastor. “We are grateful for your interest, prayers and financial contributions you have made to help us get where we are today.”

    The parish was established by Archbishop Patrick F. Flores on Aug. 15, 2001, the first church in the United States dedicated at that time to Blessed Padre Pio, and elevated to the level of a diocesan shrine on April 23, 2004.

    The eventual shrine will closely replicate the exterior façade of the one in San Giovanni Rotundo. For parish Mass times, see www.shrineofpadrepio.com.