Mass of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, Priest

There is a verse in the book of Ezra that is, I think, a wonderful expression of the life and mission of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: “The Levites, every one of whom had purified himself for the occasion, sacrificed the Passover for the rest of the exiles, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves” (Ez 6:20).
Padre Pio’s life was a long and uninterrupted celebration of the Pasch of the Lord. Configured to Jesus Crucified, Priest and Victim, Padre Pio offered himself to the Father in the daily Sacrifice of the Mass. Saint Pio’s paschal immolation — his participation in the Cross of Christ — was for the sake of “the rest of the exiles,” all of us who go mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. And it was for the sake of “his brethren”: for all priests called to follow him in a life of paschal purity and victimhood,
Entrance Antiphon
MR
God forbid that I should glory
except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world is crucified to me,
and I to the world (Gal 6:14).
Collect
Almighty and eternal God,
who, by a singular grace,
allowed the priest Saint Pio
to participate in the cross of your Son,
and by means of his ministry, renewed the wonders of your mercy;
grant, through his intercession that,
constantly united to the passion of Christ,
we may happily arrive at the glory of the resurrection.
Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

General Intercessions
That, by proclaiming the mystery of the Cross
in both Word and Sacrament,
the Church in every place may bring hope and healing
to those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
That the leaders of nations
may spurn every project of bloodshed and war
and seek instead to become instruments of peace on earth,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
That those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit,
may be helped today by the intercession of Saint Pio
and, according to his teaching,
find in prayer the key that opens the heart of God,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
That priests may find in Saint Pio a model of holiness
and rejoice to spend themselves as he did
in the care of souls and the reconciliation of penitents,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
That we who rejoice in the example of Saint Pio today,
may be strengthened to radiate the mystery of the Cross,
and to persevere in ceaseless prayer,
confident that God knows what we need even before we ask,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
Collect at the General Intercessions
O Lord Jesus Christ,
who, in order to enkindle the fire of your love
in many hearts,
renewed the sacred marks of your Passion
on the body of Saint Pio, your priest,
mercifully grant,
that with the help of his merits and intercession,
we may bear the cross without faltering
and bring forth fruits worthy of the Gospel.
Who live and reign forever and ever.
Offertory Antiphon
GR
My truth and my mercy shall be with him:
and in my name shall his horn be exalted (Ps 88:25).
Prayer Over the Offerings
As we offer you our gifts,
we pray, O Lord, that we may be rightly prepared
to celebrate the mystery of the Cross
to which Saint Pio held fast with such burning love.
Through Christ our Lord.
Preface
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
It is your providence and purpose
to form your saints in the likeness of Christ
and manifest clearly in them
your presence and your likeness.
As we contemplate the life and witness of Saint Pio,
you call us to seek more earnestly
your city that is to come,
and we behold in him the trusted way
that leads to blessed union with Christ.
Now, as we celebrate his memory,
we join the host of angels and saints
in their exultant hymn of praise:
Communion Antiphon
MR
Come to me, all you that labour and are burdened,
and I will refresh you, says the Lord (Mt 11:28).
Prayer After Communion
Grant, we beseech you, O Lord,
through the holy gifts which we have received,
that by imitating the apostolic charity and zeal of Saint Pio
we may experience the effect of your charity,
and pour ourselves out for all.
Through Christ our Lord.