St Padre Pio - a great confessors of our times

The  Catholics all over the world wonder and ask question about Padre Pio as and outstanding confessor who dispensed the mercy and forgiveness of God to the penitents.  Why did people from all walks of like flocked to him to make confession. What did they see and experience difference between him and other confessors of the time. The difference was that he was. Man of prayer and compassion who was always available for the expel. He had the gift to lead people to repentance and conversion. His life was more appealing to penitents because he was in communion with God who gifted him the wounds of His beloved son Jesus. He always represented JSU’s in the confessional and people did see the presence of jesus as a forgiving and compassionate Lord. Padre Pio was fraternal, human and very much welcoming. He made people feel comfortable in his presence but he was also tough and hard with people because he wanted them to lead good Christian life. 

The confessors of today need the spirit and availability of Padre Pio. He did it out of love for people and moved by the compassion of the Lord he heard confessions for the salvation of the penitents. He sat there not to judge but to show the love of the forgiving Father. He wanted the penitents to to experience a dialogue and a loving meeting with a loving and kind FTher always waiting for the erring children to return. Padre Io communicated to penitents that we meet with God, the loving Father who wants to forgive us our sins and put our minds to rest.   

Pope Francis said that; “It is important, therefore, that the confessor also be a ‘channel of joy’ and that the faithful, after being pardoned, no longer feel the oppression of guilt, but can relish God’s work which has freed them to live in thanksgiving, ready to repair the harm done and to go meet their brothers and sisters with a good and willing heart.” And he also said; “”We cannot risk frustrating the desire of the sinner to be reconciled with the Father. For what the Father awaits more than anything is for his sons and daughters to return home.”