Visiting the Relics of Saint Padre Pio

A pilgrimage is a journey to a place associated with someone or something well known respected. So I guess you could say I was blessed to have the opportunity to go on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver to see the Relics of Saint Padre Pio this past May.

I was more excited than words can express to go out to this Basilica because last year I created the Ultimate Guide to Holy Places in Colorado and this particular location made the list! It has been on my Bucket list ever since! Let me tell you that I was not disappointed! The Basilica was absolutely gorgeous and being blessed to be in the presence of Saint Padre Pio's relics was amazing.

In case you weren't aware, a relic is a part of a deceased holy person's body or belongings kept as an object of reverence.There are several different relics that are available to visit in Italy of Saint Padre Pio. His blood, glove and hair were on display when I went to visit at the Basilica. You can see more up close pictures below:

The glove, blood and hair of Padre Pio are encased to protect them while on display to the public. First class relics are the body or remnants of the body of a saint, such as blood, bone or flesh. Second class relics are something that a saint personally owned, like Padre Pio's glove. Third class relics are those items that a saint touched or that have been touched to a first, second, or another third class relic of a saint. Something VERY important to remember in regard to third class relics is that the touch does not have to be a direct touch to the relic itself.  Merely touching the container that holds the relic is sufficient to bring about that transformation and effect a new relic.

“Moses took Joseph’s bones with him; because he had adjured the children of Israel, saying: God shall visit you if you carry my bones from hence with you.”
Exodus 13:19

If you don't know much about Padre Pio, I highly suggest doing some reading about him. He is an inspiration to many. Padre Pio was born in Italy in 1887. He was one of eight children and had visions of angels and demons as early as five years old! He grew up and became a priest that was sought out due to his healing prayers and loving heart. There are many stories that are shared about this wonderful man regarding the devil, bi-location, stigmata, levitation and much more.

During my pilgrimage, I attended Mass and was truly touched by the reverence that was shown to both the Eucharist and the relics. During Communion I witnessed a man get on his knees and bow before the Eucharist. He then received the Eucharist while still on his knees. 

It was beyond soul-gripping. 

I think this image will be one that I will never forget. The love and respect shown by this man to Our Lord touched me in such a way that I nearly cried. It lit a fire in me to do a better job of showing reverence while I am in Mass and in the presence of the Eucharist. 

People also waited in a line that stretched around the Basilica to stand before the Relics of Saint Padre Pio. The awe and wonder that filled the air was magical. 

I won this beautiful rosary during a giveaway hosted by my friend, Mrs. Andy, who writes over at Anchored by Faith and with me at Everyday Ediths. I brought this rosary with me and pressed it against the relics. Although there was glass between the relics and this rosary I know that there was a special blessing that was transferred and I will forever have this as a way to remember my pilgrimage and the special experience of being in the presence of Saint Padre Pio's relics. I created a third class relic. There were many visitors that did this same thing with crucifixes, rosaries and other religious emblems.

The Relics were being moved across the United States over the next few months. Have you had the pleasure of checking out these relics? Or the relics of another saint? If so, I would love to hear all about it! Interested in more information about Padre Pio? Check out Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.

Our New Beginning in Colorado: 2016 in Pictures

I have read and seen so many negative comments about this past year. It breaks my heart. I truly believe that you have to see the good in the world and when we marinate ourselves in the negativity, it changes our perception on everything. I am refusing to allow the negativity into my house and into my mind. Life is full of ups and downs, happiness and sadness, it is what makes us human and this time on Earth meaningful. This year was amazing for me and my family and I would love to share how and why!

In January.... I met my cousin Sheldon because we so happen to live in the same state now! This was actually a picture taken on New Years of 2016! My kids still try to call him "Uncle Sheldon" all the time and it makes me giggle but this was an amazing milestone for our family! I honestly could not think of a better way to ring in the New Year and I am looking forward to continuing this again this year!

I also became a Nanny to help with my families finances and my kids registered for school here in Colorado for the first time! This is also about the time I started contemplating on bringing back and revamping my blog... at least the first time I mentioned it to my family out-loud.  

In February... everything was CRAZY! We experienced our first Snow Storm and the boys had their first taste of a snow day! There was actually snow non-stop for 3 days! The picture above was from the first day... maybe I should have shared the last day where our car was buried?! LOL

Spring Football for Little Man and Spring Soccer for Goalie also began, although it did not look or feel like spring at all! This was their first experience with sports in Colorado.

We also enjoyed a fun Super Bowl party (again with my amazing cousin, Sheldon) and he was pied in the face MULTIPLE TIMES because of his Super Bowl bets.

I also made the big decision to bring back my blog and renamed it, Pinot Noir and Prayers!

In March... We enjoyed our first Easter in Colorado! Unfortunately, we missed Mass because I was new to the whole "defrosting your vehicle before you can drive it when it's freezing outside" thing. I learned some valuable lessons in cold weather living.

This is also the month we surprised the boys and redid their entire room with Star Wars bedding and decor! They were the happiest little boys in the world!

Our first Easter in Colorado Springs was absolutely amazing and a wonderful way to end March.

In April...  we were able to enjoy the outdoors more and I spent more one on one time with my baby boys. We did a lot of Kids in the Kitchen and Clean Eating too.

This was my final month as a stay-at-home mom. I did Nanny a few times during the week but it was only for a few hours. I volunteered at the school as much as possible and finally got Goalie back on track for his therapies.

In May... we attended our first ever baseball game! It was an awesome experience! Check out Colorado Rockies: Our First Baseball Game for more pictures and fun. 

This was the end of the school year for the boys and the beginning of our first summer vacation in Colorado. I began my new job this month too!

We also enjoyed a Kentucky Derby Party. 

In June... we always celebrate A LOT! We have Little Man and my husband's birthday plus our 2nd Wedding Anniversary and Father's Day all within two weeks! It was Harry's 31st and Little Man's 9th birthday this year and we celebrated them together with a Finding Dory theme and went to watch the movie as a family.

We bought a membership to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and went on several breath taking hikes, including the Seven Falls. 

 In July... Little Man was able to train as an Altar Server at our new parish. In Florida, he had already been serving for a year so he was excited he was able to start in our new church too!

This month was full of Reading, swimming and working out!

In August... we had a 4th grader and a kindergartner! This was the start of the boys first full year at school in Colorado. 

My husband and I made a promise to plan dates to have special time together too.

This was the month I was invited into The Zelie Group and it has been an amazing experience so far!

In September... our family grew! We adopted two more cats, Shadow and Cloudy because we felt that they would be special additions to the family even though they were 10 and 6 at the time of their adoption. We were right! You would never guess they were older because they are just as active as our spunky 2 year old cat, Lemon!

We had our first experience at the Labor Day Lift Off!

We also became a scouting family and joined the Cub Scouts! We have a Lion Scout, which is a pilot program, so we are one of the first! And a Webelow! I'm still new at this so I would love some suggestions on how to help the boys with their badges etc.

We attended my cousin's wedding in Kansas and Little Man was an Altar Server! I also volunteered to be a catechist at the church.

In October... we finished our second seasons of football and soccer! Both boys had an amazing season! They learned so much and made some amazing friends. 

I received my first Little Catholic Box this month as a gift from my dad! 

The boys received their Cub Scout uniforms and attended their first big event as a Scout, the Boy Scout Centennial Campout! They shot BB guns for the first time and made their very own emergency cable bracelets. 

This was Goalie's birthday month and he turned 6! To celebrate we visited Diana's Pumpkin Patch and the boys even earned a Cub Scout Patch for completing the corn maze!

We were forced to buy a new car this month as well because our older one decided to crack an engine block while my husband was driving home from work one night.

This was our first Halloween dressing up together and we decided on a Star Wars theme: Little Man was a Flame Trooper, Goalie was Captain Rex, my husband was Darth Vader and I was a Storm Trooper. It was so much fun, I can't wait to plan another family costume.

In November... was filled with amazing food! We were blessed to attend a Friendsgiving and still do a traditional Thanksgiving at home and invited new friends to share the experience with us! 

We also participated in our first Turkey Trot (yes, we did dress like turkeys!)

Let's not forget...Goalie lost his first baby tooth!

This month was the end of our OFFICIAL first year in Colorado. We have learned so much and are ready to fill this next year with more neat experiences!

In December...there is so much to share, I barely know where to begin!

I was asked to join the committee at church to help with our Parish Faith Nights and this month was my very first one! It was Advent themed and we made Craft Advent Wreaths and sang songs.

I won a Mass Box during a Giveaway and hosted my first ever Giveaway during December!

We attended the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Electric Zoo Safari as a family! So many beautiful lights and even got a chance to see Mr. and Mrs. Claus while we were there.

Goalie was in a Winter Musical Production called the Big Chill at school and both boys won awards for Outstanding Student and their participation in the 100 Mile Club!

I also have found myself pulled into the Bullet Journal craze and am currently working on my first ever Bujo and adding some Liturgical Pages and trackers along with so much more!

To end this month, I was able to watch my children sing in the Christmas Eve Christmas Choir and it just made my heart so full, I could have burst! There were so not so fun things that we endured this year but as you can see, the good far out weighed the bad! And it will continue to be that way as long as we realize all the amazing blessings around us and never forget what is important! How was 2016 for you and your family? I hope it was filled with many blessings and that the upcoming year is even more amazing. You still have a couple more days before the end of 2016... let's go out in a bang! I am linking this with Revolution of Love.

God Bless!

Seven Falls

Colorado is a gorgeous state with amazing scenery. This is a picture diary of the beautiful mountains and waterfalls in Seven Falls, also known as the most beautiful mile in Colorado. The pictures here do not do it justice.

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God.

Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.  I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles. 

- Anne Frank   

There is a nice little restaurant in Seven Falls called 1858. My husband and I have plans to go visit this cute little restaurant during a date night sometime in the future. This sign is placed outside and it explains the meaning behind the restaurant's name and the history behind this beautiful area.

Never lose an opportunity to see anything that is beautiful. It is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, every fair sky, every fair flower.  

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The powers of water are immeasurable. 
In the form of ice, it can chisel rock as effectively as steel. Unloosed in a river, it can slice through
 layers of volcanic ash like a knife through a cake.

 Meandering in a shady stream, 
it can make a home for green growing things.
                                                                                        - Peggy Wayburn

'So it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches; For its roots extended to many waters. 'The cedars in God's garden could not match it; The cypresses could not compare with its boughs, And the plane trees could not match its branches No tree in God's garden could compare with it in its beauty. 'I made it beautiful with the multitude of its branches, And all the trees of Eden, which were in the garden of God, were jealous of it. 

Ezekiel 31:7-9

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn. 

-John Muir