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September 25, 2004
Celebrate a saint’s life Sunday
By DANIEL WALSH Staff Writer, (856) 794-5111
Come for the worship; get homemade Italian food as a bonus.
That's the agenda for Sunday, when hundreds of people are expected to descend on Vineland this Sunday for the St. Padre Pio Festival at Our Lady of Pompeii Church in Vineland.
The festival, in its third year, honors St. Pio of Pietrelcina, an Italian priest who is said to have borne the stigmata, the visible marks of a crucifixion, even though no source of the wounds could be found.
"Padre Pio is mostly known for his having the stigmata," Father Pete Saporito, of Our Lady of Pompeii, said Thursday. "In time, they would bleed, especially during Masses."
To mark the saint's honorary day, a procession will be held 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass at Our Lady of Pompeii. After the mass, a priest will perform blessings upon parishioners with relics of saints Pio and Mother Pauline, an Italian saint who emigrated to Brazil as a missionary.
The church's parish is believed to be the first named after St. Pio. Both saints were honored with sainthood in 2002.
"There's a huge devotion to Padre Pio locally," said Donna Wagoner, a pastry chef and parishioner who helped organize the event.
The festival begins at noon outside the church and runs till 5 p.m. An Italian band, Johnny Vee and the Italians, will play traditional music throughout the day.
Wagoner has organized parishioners in providing food for the event. They'll boast four full roast pigs, chicken barbecue, porchetta and sausage and pepper sandwiches and various homemade desserts, such as canolis, tiramisu and biscotti. Local farmers will provide fresh produce and children's games will be organized as well. Wagoner said she expects about 1,500 people to attend.
Relatives of both saints live in the area, adding to local legend.
Lou Tolotti, of Vineland, claims St. Pauline as a second cousin, and he knows the stories of several miracles associated with her.
"What are you going to do? If you believe, you believe," Tolotti said.
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The festival will be held Sunday at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 4680 Dante Ave., Vineland. Admission is free.
To e-mail Daniel Walsh at The Press:
DWalsh@pressofac.com