Padre Pio Prayer Group members celebrated St. Pio of Pietrelcina ahead of his Sept. 23 feast day with prayers, food, and fellowship at their monthly gathering at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. On Sept. 20, they took part in eucharistic adoration and benediction, praying the Rosary, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The celebrant was Father Paul Asih, M. S. P., pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Bessemer. After Mass, the members enjoyed a potluck lunch. In 1952, Pope Pius XII urged Catholics to form prayer groups to satisfy the Virgin Mary’s request at Fatima for more prayer. This inspired Padre Pio, formally known as St. Pio of Pietrelcina, to form the Padre Pio Prayer Group which is international. Members become his spiritual children. All Catholics of the Diocese of Birmingham, regardless of age, are welcome to join. The group meets the third Saturday monthly at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows. The church is located at 1728 Oxmoor Road in Homewood.