Padre Pio, Confession and the Rosary

Last year I attended the Syracuse Catholic Women’s Conference with a friend and it was a fantastic experience. There were engaging speakers, time for prayer and devotions, Confession, and Mass with the bishop.

I remember sitting and waiting my turn for Confession. There were a number of diocesan priests hearing confessions and many good nuns assisting to make the wait easier for us. I quickly noticed that a number of ladies didn’t mind waiting for a certain priest. I was curious about that. From a distance the priest’s side profile reminded me of Padre Pio.

When it was my turn one of the nuns pointed to the confessional of the priest that looked like Padre Pio. At once I felt very comfortable because the priest was very attentive, genuinely kind and easy to talk to. As the priest was granting me absolution he gently touched my forehead. It was such a warm gesture. As I was thanking the good-hearted priest I asked his name. He told me, “I’m Father Dellos from Utica.” There was a joy that he radiated.

I remember feeling so much gratitude that day. I told my friend that I felt like I was being showered with so many blessings all day long.

The following quote is by Padre Pio. This is one of my favorite quotes about the Blessed Mother and the Rosary.

“Go to the Madonna. Love her! Always say the Rosary. Say it well. Say it as often as you can! Be souls of prayer. Never tire of praying, it is what is essential. Prayer shakes the Heart of God, it obtains necessary graces!” - St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Pictured is a statue of Padre Pio given by my sister in law as well as a children's Rosary she got from a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal. Beside Padre Pio is a sleeping St. Joseph statue and on the other side is a picture of my paternal grandmother (a devout Catholic who helped convert her husband and many of his family members to the Catholic faith). St. Pio of Pietrelcina, please pray for us!