From the Pastor's Desk - July 5, 2025

Dear St. Martin’s Parishioners,

St. Paul writes in this Sunday’s second reading, “From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.” These words are mysterious, but they may point to St. Paul being the first stigmatic, that is, someone who miraculously manifests the Lord’s sacred wounds in his or her hands or feet. Saints throughout history have been permitted this special participation in Jesus’ passion, notably St. Francis and, most recently, St. Padre Pio.

Padre Pio became famous for his extraordinary gifts—bilocation, reading souls and having the stigmata—while he was still living. People would travel from afar to see him and attend his Masses. The story is told of an American soldier stationed in Italy during World War II who attended one of his Masses. As Padre Pio was leaving Mass, the soldier stopped him and asked him to show him his hands. (Padre Pio kept his hands wrapped during Mass so that people wouldn’t see the gory wounds on them.) Padre Pio ignored him. The soldier repeated, “Show me your wounds.” After being ignored again, the soldier became adamant, “Look, I don’t believe that you really have them, but show me your wounds.” Finally, Padre Pio stopped, removed one of the bandages and said, “Look, here they are. Now show me your wounds.” Padre Pio led him to the confessional, where he heard the soldier’s life-changing confession.”

Suffering is mysterious and often inexplicable. We do know, though, that our suffering offered in union with Christ’s Passion allows us to freely participate in God’s redemptive work, and so merit grace for ourselves and for a world alienated from God. How is Christ inviting you to offer your sufferings in union with him for your redemption and for the increase in grace for the world?

A huge thank you to all those who helped in Fr. Stefan’s farewell party last Sunday! The feast was truly a foretaste of heaven. Fr. Stefan was deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support by our parishioners.

In Christ,

Fr. Dave