Tags
Catherine of Siena, Confession, EWTN, Gerard Majella, God, John Bosco, John Vianney, Marie-Rose Ferron, Mother Angelica, Philip Neri, Pio of Pietrelcina, saints
Mother Angelica, the Foundress of EWTN broadcasting, on 13 February 1996 said:
We were listening, at table today, of the life of Padre Pio.
A marvelous man.
He suffered unbelievably… his whole life; but so holy.
When you went to confession (to him) if you missed something he’d say, ‘Did you forget something?’
And you’d say, ‘No.’
‘Oh… are you sure?’
‘Yes,’ you’d say.
(And he would say), ‘Then, come back tomorrow.’
Wooooow!
A woman went to him one time and he made her come back (to Confession) three times.
And, finally, the third time she said, ‘I don’t have anything else.’
And he said, ‘Oh yes you do.’
He told her the day and the time that she committed an abortion…
… and showed her what that son was destined to be.
Don’t you wish that you had a Confessor like that (who) could tell you what you forgot to confess?
Because, God knows it all.
We have no reason to be afraid.
There have been other great Confessors in history who had the gift of reading the hearts and consciences of individuals: Bishop Fulton Sheen; Le Curé d’Ars — St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney; St. Anthony of Padua; St. John Bosco; St. Philip Neri; St. Joseph of Cupertino; St Paul of the Cross; and St. Francis of Paolo.
There have also been holy people who were not ordained priests who were given the gift of reading the hearts of people: St. Hedwig, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Gerard Majella, St. Lydwine of Schiedam, Blessed Alexandrina da Costa, Marthe Robin and Marie-Rose Ferron.
In the absence of a Confessor who can read our hearts, let us approach the Confessional like a trusting child and divulge all of our unconfessed past sins. We must always trust in God’s mercy and in His love for each and every one of us.
May you be blessed with the grace to examine your conscience well and thoroughly and may you remember all of your unconfessed faults so that you may present them to the priest at your next confession.
May God bless and protect you and all of your loved ones.
Related articles
- 7 Quick Takes: My 7 Favorite Saints (catholicalcoholic.com)
- The Great Honor And Respect Due To Each Priest (credointhecommunionofsaints.wordpress.com)
- Different Kinds of Saints (catholicalcoholic.com)
- Tribute to Padre Pio (mundabor.wordpress.com)