Padre Pio’s Encounter with Suffering Friar Souls – Nov 05 – Homily – Fr Matthias
Views 28
Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Nov 05, 2025, on the commemoration of the deceased Franciscans, where he discusses purgatory's mercy, Padre Pio's story of apparitions of souls from purgatory, and urges prayers and consecration to Mary to aid suffering souls and avoid it.
Father honors all passed members of the Franciscan Order, along with family and supporters who may still be in purgatory, needing our help through prayer. He explains purgatory as a kind place of cleansing, since nothing impure can enter heaven, and even some saints needed this step. Sharing a tale from Padre Pio, a fellow Franciscan known for his deep care for these souls, Father describes how young Padre Pio saw four unknown friars by the fire who vanished, realizing they were suffering spirits from purgatory seeking prayers for their small faults like gossip or pride. These souls can't help themselves, so our prayers matter greatly. To skip purgatory, Father suggests becoming gentle and obedient now by giving ourselves fully to God, especially through devotion to the Virgin Mary, who helps purify us here so we can go straight to heaven.
For Further Reading:
Revelation 21: 27 - NAB - Nothing unclean shall enter heaven - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/21?27
2 Maccabees 12: 46 - NAB - Prayers and sacrifices for the dead - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2maccabees/12?46
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1030 - The Church's prayer for the dead - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a12.htm#1030
Catechism of the Catholic Church 969 - Mary's intercession for souls - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p6.htm#969
Wikipedia - San Giovanni Rotondo - Background on Padre Pio's friary - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Giovanni_Rotondo
Ave Maria!
Mass: Commemoration of the Franciscan Deceased - Mem
Readings:
1st: wis 3:1-9
Resp: psa 23:1-6
Gsp: joh 6:37-40
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=2209
Also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1M8jZRVbDE/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/h7Bfrv9RmoY
