On June 16, 2024, on the 22nd anniversary of the Canonization of St. Padre Pio de Pietrelcina, a parish under the revered saint’s patronage was created in the Diocese of Libmanan, its principal seat being located in Barangay Dalipay, in the Municipality of Milaor (Camarines Sur). Appointed as first Parish Priest was Rev. Fr. Muriel T. Abiog, of Libmanan, Camarines Sur. Named St. Padre Pio Parish, the new parish is actually the smallest parish in the diocese in terms of territorial jurisdiction, comprising as it does of only two barangays—the other barangay being Capucnasan in the same Municipality of Milaor. The new parish was actually erected as a Mission Station, barely nine months before, on September 23, 2023, with Fr. Abiog also as Administrator.
Before such time, that is, since 2016, the place was prepared by Rev. Fr. Marcos Quesada. It was him who was able to obtain from the Family of Mr. Carlos Bulao a 5,000 sq. m. property, behind the existing chapel, which is now the temporary parish church. Fr. Quesada was also able to occupy the adjacent lot, at the left side of the church, where he remodeled an old small house into a temporary rectory. He was also able to lay the ground for the construction of the new parish church. More importantly, through Fr. Quesada’s efforts, the parish was able to obtain a first class relic (a portion of blood-stained handkerchief) of its patron, St. Padre Pio. On September 14 and 15, 2019, Fr. Gianmaria de Giorgio from San Giovani Rotondo, Italy brought the 1st class relics of St. Padre Pio to Dalipay for a visit. Fr. Gianmaria subsequently left behind said first class relics of the saint, now kept in a secured quarters of the temporary rectory, both of which were blessed on August 22, 2021. From then on, one of the activities featured in the parish schedule is the healing mass, celebrated to ask St. Padre Pio’s intercession for miraculous healing, a blessing and favor which the saint is now generally renowned for.
During the mass, within which the canonical erection of the new parish was formally decreed, Bishop Jose Rojas of the Diocese of Libmanan said in his homily that although the parish is the smallest in the diocese, it has the potential of growing into a huge parish community, very much like the mustard seed spoken of in Mark 4, 30-32 which, though tiny, when sown springs up and becomes greater than all the herbs. Installing Fr. Abiog as the first Parish Priest, Bishop Rojas exhorted him to take care of the parish faithful, so that under the patronage of St. Padre Pio, they may grow deeper in their faith. An agape tendered by generous donors punctuated the joyful celebration.
