By Jessica Easthope
It was a vision — Joe Oppedisano’s long-held dream of creating a sacred place dedicated to Padre Pio where the public could come to pray and reflect.
On April 26, that dream became a reality. After years of planning, a space dedicated to the beloved Italian saint officially opened around the corner from Oppedisano’s Little Neck restaurant, Il Bacco.
“It’s for everybody to come and reflect and pray and hope and don’t worry. Like Padre Pio said — that was his famous words,” Oppedisano said. “I only got to know him 15 years ago, almost 16, and it changed my life. He changed my life. Obviously, I’m here talking to you right now, so it’s a powerful man… In life you’ve got to believe. And I do believe tremendously.”
Oppedisano’s devotion to Padre Pio deepened after a life-altering experience. In 2020, he was involved in a fatal plane crash and suffered severe injuries. While recovering in the hospital, he said Padre Pio came to him. In the years that followed, he set out to create the space as a way of giving thanks for what he believes was divine intervention.
His journey also strengthened the faith of those closest to him, including his daughter, Tina Maria.
“My dad has always been very ambitious. And he had this vision and he has had this idea, and I’m so happy that he pulled through and I’m so proud of him. I really am just so proud of him,” she said.
At the opening ceremony, Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio of the Diocese of Brooklyn blessed the bronze statues installed throughout the space. Father Joseph Fonti, pastor of St. Mel’s Parish in Flushing, was named chaplain.
“To create a place for people to come to commune with God in a time when all of us are stressed, all of us overwhelmed, is a great awareness to God’s goodness to him and God’s nearness to us,” Father Fonti said.
As the gates opened, hundreds of visitors poured in, many hoping to take photos and venerate a relic of Padre Pio. Among them was Maria Bertolino, who attended with her 25-year-old son, Salvatore.
“My son has autism. Padre Pio is very special to us. When he was born, I prayed to him that he would be a little better, and he has gotten a lot better,” she said. “I truly believe Padre Pio and Jesus Christ have a lot to do with this. This is just a beautiful testament of everyone here and how special he is — and how special he is to my family too.”
The Padre Pio prayer space, located on Northern Boulevard, is open to the public seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.