SPECIAL GLOVE: Michael Clifford displays the frame containing the special fingerless glove of St Padre Pio at the Church of the Resurrection, Killarney on Monday night. From left: Mary O'Keeffe, Jimmy Dennehy, Angela Leahy and Eileen O'Connor. Picture: Eamonn Keogh

By Michelle Crean

Hundreds of devoted parishioners descended on the Church of the Resurrection, Killarney on Monday night for a blessing St Padre Pio’s miracle glove.

Contained in a frame, the special fingerless glove, was the focal point of the evening, as hundreds queued for up to two hours to receive a blessing.

The saint was known to have had numerous ‘healing gloves’ that he’d worn over many years to cover stigmata like wounds in both his hands.

The event, which was organised by Michael Clifford from the Killarney St Pio Prayer Group, began with rosary, followed by Mass, Benediction and then the blessing of the glove.

“We’d a packed house, it was a lovely night,” Michael told the Killarney Advertiser.

“People were even coming in after Mass for the blessing from Fr John Kerins and Fr Kieran O’Brien. Some queued for over two hours for a blessing and we finished up at approximately 11pm.”

[caption id="attachment_30286" align="alignleft" width="720"] Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O'Brien carries the frame containing the special fingerless glove of St Padre Pio to the Mass at the Church of the Resurrection, Killarney on Monday night. Also included is Fr John Kerin. Picture: Eamonn Keogh   [/caption]

He added that there was a huge number of young people present.

“It was great to see so many young people there. I also met a number of people who were on the pilgrimage in previous years.”

The group are now making preparations for their annual trip to San Giovani, which includes a trip to Lourdes, Benevento where St Pio was ordained, onto Pietrelcina where he was born then to Piana Romana where he had a little farm, San Giovani where he lived, and onto Mugnano where there’s a shrine to St Philomena.

Anyone interested in going on this year’s trip can contact Michael on 085 1309835.

[caption id="attachment_30285" align="alignleft" width="580"] Killarney parishioner Sheila Ferris holds the frame containing the special fingerless glove of St Padre Pio after being blessed by Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O'Brien at the Church of the Resurrection, Killarney on Monday night. Picture: Eamonn Keogh[/caption]