Saint Padre Pio Procession Through the Streets of Boston’s North End [Photos]

On Sunday, June 24, 2012, devotees to Saint Padre Pio held an Italian Mass and carried his statue from Saint Leonard Church throughout the streets of Boston’s North End. Accompanied by the North End Marching Band, this is the second year for the procession of Saint Pio, a relatively new saint canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

Pius of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) was a Capuchin Catholic priest from Italy, born as Francesco Forgione and given the name Pius (Italian: Pio) when he joined the Capuchins, thus known popularly as Padre Pio. He became famous for bearing the stigmata. Read more at Wikipedia.

Take a walk with Saint Padre Pio through this “big picture” photo journal. (Photos by Matt Conti)