During the Second World War Pope Pius XII called the faithful to gather and pray often as a community.  Following the express wishes of the Pope, St. Pio, who understood the need to pray, also encouraged the faithful to gather in groups to pray according to the intention of Pope Pius XII.

St. Pio was a man who aligned himself to that of the sufferings of the infirm as he bore the stigmata.  People would spontaneously seek him out either in person or by mail, in order to receive his counsels and directives, to live a more perfect life.

In response to St. Pio’s express wishes, after having attended in 1982 a day of prayer in Holycross Abbey directed by Fr. Alessio Parente, (who cared and nursed St. Pio), in 1983 a group of people from Dundalk visited Fr. Alessio while he was in the Midlands leading a Novena to St. Pio.  Following a conversation with Fr. Alessio it was agreed to establish a Prayer Group in Dundalk.

Permission was granted by the Administrator of St. Patrick’s Dundalk and a Spiritual Director was appointed.  In 1984 the Dundalk Padre Pio Prayer Group was founded and to this day meets on the second Friday of each month in St. Nicholas’ Church with Rosary recited at 7.15 p.m. and the Novena Mass celebrated at 7.30 p.m.

In 1985 while on Pilgrimage to San Giovanni, Owen Rice as Group Leader and Kay Bailey, Vice Group Leader registered the Prayer Group in San Giovanni, Rotondo.

It is due to the faith and devotion of the members, that the Dundalk Padre Pio Prayer Group is continuing to be a sign of hope and comfort in the lives of so many people.