Day 4: Confession and sacramental mercy

The fourth day turns to the sacrament of Confession, in which Padre Pio served for sixteen hours a day for over fifty years.

Padre Pio's words

"Confession is the soul's bath. You must go at least once a week. I do not want souls to stay away from confession more than a week. Even a clean and unoccupied room gathers dust; return after a week and you will see that it needs dusting again."

Padre Pio is said to have heard the confessions of approximately five thousand penitents per year. He sometimes had a supernatural knowledge of unconfessed sins and would correct penitents who attempted to hide them.

Reflection

The novena returns the petitioner to the confessional. The mercy Padre Pio mediated for fifty years remains available through every validly ordained Catholic priest. The grace flows from the same source.

Prayer

Saint Padre Pio, you who poured out the mercy of God in the confessional through your long priestly ministry, intercede for me. Help me to make a good confession. Help me to recognize the sins I am tempted to hide.

O Lord Jesus, grant me the contrition of heart that opens the way to Your forgiveness. Amen.

Conclude with one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.