HOLY GLOVE: St Pio's glove will be in Killarney this coming Monday evening and a large crowd is expected to attend. Pictured front l-r were: Phil Leen, Michael Clifford, Marian O'Callaghan and Mary B O'Sullivan. Back l-r were: Kate Murphy, Jimmy Dennehy, Eileen O'Connor and Angela Leahy from the Killarney St. Pio Prayer Group. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

A very special glove worn by Padre Pio - which many believe has helped carry out miracles – will be in Killarney early next week.

The fingerless glove St Pio used to cover his stigmata which, devotees believe corresponded with Christ's crucifixion wounds, is set to attract huge crowds to the town.

Many people over the years have been blessed with St Pio’s glove and will agian get another opportunity this coming Monday evening at the Church of the Resurrection on the Cork road.

The evening, which was organised by the Killarney St Pio Prayer Group, begins with rosary at 7.15pm, followed by Mass at 7.30pm, Benediction and then the blessing of the glove.

“Large crowds are expected to attend,” Michael Clifford, from the Killarney St Pio Prayer Group who meets the third Monday of each month, told the Killarney Advertiser.

“We bring it down to Killarney once a year and people have shown great interest and devotion to it in more recent years. People attach a lot of importance to the glove and like the opportunity to be blessed by it.”

Michael’s mother Sheila Clifford founded the local St Pio group 45 years ago and the group enjoys a yearly trip to San Giovani.

“She had an enormous devotion,” Michael, a retired secondary school teacher, said.

“She went on the trip 29 times. The yearly trip is usually in September/October with people from all over Kerry and Ireland going. This year’s trip is to Lourdes, Benevento where St Pio was ordained then we’re going to Pietrelcina where he was born and onto Piana Romana where he had a little farm, then onto 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.