When Padre Pio was Visited by the Souls in Purgatory
Padre Pio, renowned for spending hours daily hearing confessions, was not just a spiritual guide for those walking the earth. In a surprising admission, he revealed that more souls from purgatory came to him than the living. This remarkable aspect of his spiritual life is captured in Father Alessio Parente’s book, Padre Pio and the Souls in Purgatory.
A Man Between Two Worlds
From 1918 to 1923, Padre Pio dedicated up to nineteen hours a day to confession. Even in later decades, five to eight hours of daily spiritual service was not uncommon. Throughout his lifetime, an estimated five million people visited him seeking guidance and healing. Yet, according to Father Alessio Parente, the souls in purgatory who reached out to Padre Pio were even more numerous.
Padre Pio’s connection with purgatory was not symbolic but an integral part of his daily reality. These souls sought him out just as the living did, and he answered their pleas with compassion—offering prayers, sacrifices, and enduring personal suffering for their relief.
Stories of Compassion and Intercession
One touching example comes from the eve of the feast of Saint Francis. A woman, Anita Lodi, asked Padre Pio to intercede for her deceased parents in purgatory. Padre Pio responded immediately, assuring her, “I can do that myself.” Moments like these highlight his deep empathy and unwavering commitment to both the living and the departed.
Another story involves Father Bernardo of Pietrelcina, worried about his mother’s salvation. Padre Pio comforted him, saying, “Calm your soul; be at peace regarding the salvation of your mother. Oh, if only all Christian mothers were like yours.” His words brought consolation and hope, showing the power of prayer for souls beyond our world.
Living Prayer and Deep Spiritual Union
For the friars at San Giovanni Rotondo, Padre Pio was not merely a man of prayer—he was a living prayer. During Mass, he was seen deeply united with Christ, pleading not just for sinners and the sick but especially for the souls in purgatory. His heart ached for their release, and he tirelessly worked through prayers and sacrifices, urging others to do the same.
A Call to Action: Helping the Souls in Purgatory
Padre Pio’s legacy reminds us of the importance of praying for the souls in purgatory. As he famously urged, “We must empty purgatory with our prayers.” During the final days to obtain plenary indulgence, take the opportunity to help a soul in need—continuing Padre Pio’s mission of compassion and intercession.
