The New Statutes of the
Prayer Groups of Padre Pio
III. The Statutes
Index of Statute Articles
FOREWARD

The Prayer Groups are a response, to the spiritual needs of our times, as perceived by Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. Their purpose is to promote the spreading of the teaching of Christ, who repeatedly insisted on the necessity of Prayer.

They are a response in obedience to repeated invitations to prayer issued by the Supreme Pontiffs and the Hierarchy, in accordance the tradition so admirably expressed by the Ecumenical Councils, especially by the Second Vatican Council.

The Groups propose to follow the general principles of the Franciscan spirituality of Padre Pio – which includes:

  • Total and unconditional adherence to the teachings of the Catholic Church, guided by the Popes and Bishops.
  • Obedience to the Popes and Bishops whose representative, in each Group, is the Spiritual Director. This representative is a priest nominated by the Bishop.
  • Prayer with the Church, through the Church and in the Church. By this is meant an active participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church as an essential means of intimate union with God.
  • A willingness to share in the sufferings of Christ, as an effective means of reparation, according to the teaching of St. Paul.
  • Generosity and self-sacrifice in undertaking works of charity, especially for the suffering and needy, as a practical demonstration of the member’s love of God.
    • CENTRAL OFFICE

    Art. 1 – THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PRAYER GROUPS is guided by the norms set out in these Statutes. The central administrative offices are housed in the “Home for the Relief of Suffering” (Work of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina) in San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy.

    This International Association of the Prayer Groups is subject to the Holy See.

    THE PRAYER GROUPS

    Art. 2 – The Prayer Groups are composed of members of the faithful, who try to respond to Christ’s invitation to pray, as reiterated by various Pontiffs. They are to be erected in a Church, or oratory or a place approved by the local Ordinary. They assemble at regular intervals under the guidance of a Spiritual Director to pray and to draw others to pray in communion with the Hierarchy and in accordance with the spirituality of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. The members of the Groups shall consider the study of Catholic doctrine in groups, as part of their spiritual formation. They shall also take the initiative in promoting and assisting the work of evangelization and play their full part in the various pastoral activities of the local Church.

    Art. 3 – Laity, as well as priests and religious, can be members of the Prayer Groups. Their names are to be inscribed in a suitable Register by the Spiritual Director.

    GENERAL DIRECTION

    Art. 4 – The International Association of the Prayer Groups is under the control of the Director General. He is the President for the time being (pro tempore) of the Foundation “Home for the Relief of Suffering” (Work of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina). He is nominated by the Cardinal Secretary of State, according to the statutes of the Foundation and has the rights and duties as specified in these statutes.

    Whenever the President for the time being (pro tempore) of the Foundation is not a priest, then the Office of Director of the Prayer Groups will be confided to a priest, nominated by the Cardinal Secretary of State.

    Art. 5 – There is a Director General’s Council. This is composed of the Director General and one or two Assistant Directors General, together with the Secretary General. The Director General is free to nominate the Secretary General and designates the Assistant Director General, having sought advice from the members of the General Council. Included among the members of the General Council, by right, is the Father Guardian, for the time being (pro tempore), of the Monastery of the Capuchin Friars “Our Lady of Grace” of San Giovanni Rotondo. The other Councillors are designated by the General Direction which chooses them from among the members of the more numerous groups from the various nations and Continents. Like the Assistant Directors they remain in office for five years and may be re-appointed for a further five. The vote of the General Council is only consultative. It ought, however, be requested by the Director General when important work or initiatives are to be undertaken by the Prayer Groups. The General Council is to meet once a year, and whenever the Director General supervises the normal functioning of the Prayer Groups. He will take particular care, to see that all adhere strictly to the teachings and directives of the Church, admonishing those who manifest attitudes that are opposed to ecclesial communion. Where necessary, he will propose to the Bishop responsible for the territory, the disbanding of any Group that fails in its duty of ecclesial communion.

    The Director General, in so far as is necessary, can confer particular regional and national offices. In the conferring of these offices, and in their eventual revocation, he shall act in accord with the Competent Ecclesiastical Authorities. The duration of these appointments is to be indicated in the letter of nomination. At the end of each year, the Director General shall present to the Holy See a report of the Association’s activities, together with comments and suggestions that may seem opportune.

    CERTIFICATE OF GROUP AFFILIATION

    Art. 6 – The Director General issues a certificate of affiliation to the International Association of Prayer Groups to individual Prayer Groups. He must be satisfied that the Group has a sufficient number of members and is capable of functioning as a Prayer Group, with the approval of the Competent Diocesan Ordinary.

    Prayer Groups should make it their concern to maintain and foster relations with the General Direction through regular reports of the Group’s activities. These ties should be further strengthened during visits and pilgrimages to San Giovanni Rotondo.

    RELATIONS WITH THE DIOCESAN BISHOP

    Art. 7 – The Prayer Groups are subject to the jurisdiction of the Diocesan Ordinary according to the Norms of Canon Law. The members of the Prayer Groups, in complete communion with their own Bishop, will follow the pastoral directives both at diocesan and national level. They will accept, in complete fidelity, the instructions of the General Direction, as an essential means of preserving unity.

    DIRECTION OF THE GROUP

    Art. 8 – The Group Leader, the Spiritual Director, the Assistant Leader and the Secretary are responsible for the administration of each Group. They regulate and organize works and initiatives to be undertaken by the Group.

    When circumstances indicate a need, the Group can organize and undertake projects for children and young people, etc.

    THE GROUP LEADER

    Art. 9 – Each Prayer Group is presided over by a Group Leader, who is elected by an absolute majority of the members, in a plenary meeting, in the presence of a priest delegated by the Bishop. If no one obtains an absolute majority in the first ballot, the person who obtains even a relative majority in the second ballot is deemed to be lawfully elected. This election must be confirmed by the Bishop and the Director General. The Group Leader is elected for a period of five years, but can be re-elected for a maximum of three periods of five years.

    THE ASSISTANT GROUP LEADER

    Art. 10 – The Group Leader is assisted by one or two Assistant Group Leaders, elected by an absolute majority in a plenary meeting of the members. If an absolute majority of votes is not obtained in the first ballot, a relative majority will suffice. They remain in office for five years and can be re-elected for a further five years.

    If, for any reason, the post of Group Leader becomes vacant, in the course of a five year period, the senior (older) Assistant Group Leader assumes the direction of the Group. It is the duty of the Assistant Group Leader to arrange a meeting of the Group members within thirty (30) days, in order to elect a Group Leader in accordance with the Norm of Art. 9.

    THE SECRETARY

    Art. 11 – The Group Leader nominates a Secretary who remains in office for five years and can be re-appointed. The Secretary shall keep a register of the members of the Group, and a record of the decisions of the Direction of each Group. The Secretary will assist the Group Leader in all matters required for the proper functioning of the Group itself.

    THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

    Art. 12 – Each Prayer Group has a Spiritual Director who is a priest nominated by the Diocesan Ordinary. His special task is the religious instruction and formation of the members. To this end, he will organize Retreats, or courses of spiritual exercises and initiate other ways he may deem useful and suitable.

    The Spiritual Director, ordinarily, presides over liturgical celebrations and sacred functions organized by the Group, in agreement with the Parish Priest or the Rector of the church.

    CO-ORDINATION OF THE PRAYER GROUPS

    Art. 13 – Where there are a number of Prayer Groups in a Diocese, the Bishop can appoint a Priest to co-ordinate the activities of the various Groups. In this way the Groups in each diocese form part of the pastoral plan, so as to serve the needs of the Apostolate, under the direction and guidance of the Bishop.

    The Diocesan Co-ordinator, nominated by the Bishop, may be assisted by a diocesan Council composed of five or six Councillors. They are nominated by the Bishop as designated by the Diocesan Co-ordinator. These Councillors are chosen from among the Spiritual Directors and Group Leaders of the Prayer Groups existing in the Diocese.

    The Diocesan Priest Co-ordinator of the Prayer Groups shall maintain contact with the International Centre, or General Direction. He shall receive printed communications and literature from the Centre for all Padre Pio Prayer Groups in the Diocese.

    The International Centre can designate a Priest Co-ordinator as national or regional co-ordinator. He will then be presented to the National or Regional Episcopal Conference for the necessary approval.

    ACTIVITIES OF THE PRAYER GROUPS

    Art. 14 - -Each Group shall normally hold a monthly meeting. The Holy Mass will be celebrated with a suitable homily, preceded and followed by other prayers, especially the liturgy of the hours and the Rosary.

    Retreats, spiritual exercises, days of recollection and other works of piety as seem opportune can be arranged, in accordance with the directives of the competent ecclesiastical authority.

    Art 15. – The following general intentions are recommended to the Prayer Groups. The Church, the Pope, the Bishops, Ecclesiastical and Religious Vocations, the sanctification of the Clergy, zeal in living the Christian life, the conversion of sinners and atheists, the sick, especially the incurable, the old and other intentions which include the needs of the Church and society at any particular time.

    Art. 16 – Members of the Groups shall dedicate themselves to the Prayer of Reparation and following the teachings of the Apostle Paul shall offer their suffering, as their share in the Passion of Christ, Redeemer of the world.

    The members of the Prayer Groups shall perform works of Penance and Reparation, so that their prayer be more acceptable to God. They shall seek to be an example through accepting the sufferings and sacrifices which form part of their daily lives and by the sincere practice of the Christian life.

    They shall dedicate themselves, in a special manner, to works of charity, especially towards the sick, the old, the marginalized.

    Art. 17 – The members of the Prayer Groups are not obliged to contribute financially. Whenever the Prayer Groups desires to contribute to the expenses of organization and to help the Foundation “Home for the Relief of Suffering”, they are free to do so and can forward their contributions to the Foundation. They can make collections for this purpose with the permission of the respective Diocesan Ordinaries and where it is prescribed, with the permission of the competent civil authority.

    MEETINGS

    Art. 18 – Local, regional, national and international meetings of Prayer Groups are to be held with the prior consent of the Director General. There are no fixed times for these meetings. The Diocesan Ordinary, in whose territory the meeting is to be convened, must be informed beforehand. The Director General is to give adequate instructions, if there is question of meetings being held in important cities. This also applies if there is question of regional, national or international meetings.

    Art. 19 – The magazine “La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza” with a supplement for the Prayer Groups is the only official publication of the Prayer Groups.

    RULES SPECIAL TO EACH GROUP

    Art. 20 – Each Group can draw up a specific rule which is deemed useful for the good of the members of the Group, and which is in conformity with the present Statutes.

    Such a Rule must be approved by a plenary meeting of the members of the Group. A copy of this Rule, when approved by the Group, must be sent to the Director General. Rules already in use are to be adapted to the present Statutes within six months of their coming into force.

    CONCLUSION

    Art. 21 – All other Statutes or Rules now existing, lapse with the coming into force of the present Statutes with due regard for the present prescriptions of Art. 14.

    Art. 22 – Any modifications of the present Statutes can be proposed by the Director General, having consulted with the General Council. It becomes binding only after approval by the Holy See.

    Vatican City, 3 May 1986

    Statutes approved by the Holy See,
    through letter from the Secretary of State,
    Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, dated 3rd May 1986, No 160.977/A.

    It came into force on 4th May 1986

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