September 23—St. Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Priest & Religious

Padre Pio is one of the more amazing saints of the 20^th century.  He levitated when he was in intense prayer; he bilocated, that is, he could be in two far separated places at about the same time; he had the gift of prophecy; he could read hearts; he could bring about conversions.  However, he is most famous for the gift of the stigmata, the wounds of Christ visible on his hands, feet, and side. 

Padre Pio received much acclamation and much criticism for these spiritual gifts.  But he only wanted to love God and bring about the salvation of souls.  He would spend hours each day in the confessional listening to words of sorrow; challenging those who needed to express true penitence; forgiving with the words of absolution:  “God the father of mercies through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins through the ministry of the church.  May God give you pardon and peace and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

We are called to forgive and be forgiven:  “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  We are called to the confessional so that the priest, who is our spiritual doctor, may bring us to spiritual health through the sacrament.  Some say that we don’t need a priest; God forgives us anyway.  The purpose of the priest is to help us, not judge us.  The priest is “in the person of Christ” forgiving us in the name of God as Jesus said to his apostles:  “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (Jn. 20:23).  Who, in suffering in serious illness or injury, would refuse to go to a doctor?  Why do we refuse to go to Christ’s doctors, his priests?  Padre Pio gave his life to bring about salvation for others.  Every priest shares in that desire.  When was the last time you went to confession?