by Susan Hines-Brigger. Published by Franciscan Media
“My only regret is that, involuntarily and unwittingly, I sometimes raise my voice when correcting people.” —Letters, Vol. 1, 1305
All of us have had times when we’ve reacted harshly or unkindly to someone. Padre Pio was not exempt from this either. At times he would scold people who he felt weren’t truly sorry for their sins or if he thought they had not come to confession for the right reasons. (Some people would come to his confessional simply because they wanted to see the priest with the stigmata.) Padre Pio, realizing his tendency to do this, acknowledged this weak-ness so many of us have and expressed frustra-tion over it. His self-awareness and struggle serve as reminders to be aware of the way in which we speak to others and to try to do so with love.
Praying with Padre Pio
St. Pio, help us to recognize when we are speaking to others in an unkind or impatient manner. Spark in us the desire to be gentler when speaking with and of others.