Pier Giorgio's Practice of Penance

If your diocese is like mine, there are probably Penance Services scheduled at some point at every church over the course of the next several weeks.  Are you planning to go?  Dreading it?  Looking forward to that clean slate?

I've discovered that many people are not quite clear on what the Church's requirements are for making a good confession during the Easter season.  Technically, if you have not committed a mortal sin in your life, you never have to go to Confession - ever. Surprised?  This article has one of the clearest explanations that I have read in awhile.

Of course, never taking advantage of such an awesome Sacrament probably isn't the fastest route to achieving holiness.  Consider that saints like Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II went at least weekly during their lifetimes.  I'm willing to bet they weren't committing mortal sins!

Blessed Pier Giorgio also went very frequently - sometimes daily - to this Sacrament.  Not only that, but he made it a point monthly to bring many of the poor people he was helping to church to receive both the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion.

One of the stories I love about his devotion to this Sacrament was told by a priest who ran into Pier Giorgio crossing the street in Turin one day.  He said it was about 11 a.m. and Pier Giorgio was on his way to La Consolata Church.  After greeting the priest, he asked if "he could have the pleasure of going to confession."  Father Righini agreed and looked for a church nearby to do it.

“No, that’s not necessary,” he replied calmly.  “I’ll confess here on the street.”  He removed his hat, made a large Sign of the Cross as he stood next to me and made his confession.  Nothing like that has ever happened to me again, and I confess that at first I had many distractions hearing Pier Giorgio’s confession! 

Although it was out of the ordinary for the priest, he said that Pier Giorgio walked off satisfied and happy and had no concern at all for what anyone might have thought who saw him going to Confession on the street. 

This is one of many beautiful stories shared in a book that is unfortunately still not available in English.  For me, it shows how great Pier Giorgio's love was for the Lord - so great, that he wanted to always have his soul in the cleanest state possible before receiving the Blessed Sacrament. 

"He wanted to approach God more frequently, to purify his soul, and he sought help from his confessor’s advice so that he could live the Christian life more deeply. Possessing the Lord’s peace, it was easier for him to suffer, to make sacrifices, to deal with the daily silence in our house and the harsh tests of charity outside the home." - Luciana Frassati

In the autobiographies of many saints, we read about how their frequency of going to Confession increased as they were drawn deeper and deeper into union with Christ.  And yet many people are so reluctant to take advantage of this limitless treasury of grace.  If you are one of those people, ask Blessed Frassati to help you grow in fervor for this Sacrament not only during this Lenten season but for the rest of your life. The spiritual lives of his friends was always a priority for him and he will not let you down.

Blessed Pier Giorgio, loyal son of the Church, pray for us!

Verso l'alto!   ////cmw