Today the Church commemorates the birthday into Heaven of the "humble friar who prays" Padre Pio, as Saint Pio of Pietralcina. This 20th century priest was renowned in his lifetime as a man of miracles, spiritual discernment, and as the bearer of what Saint Paul called "the brand marks of Jesus Christ": the Stigmata.
Like many priest saints he was also the victim of the envy and false accusations of others.
This is a pattern not only in the lives of Saints, but also of sinners who are priests.
One of the things that I've found a trial in the nine years of my pastorate is the carping and uncharitable comments that are sometimes passed about me and other priests; sometimes from the same person who smiles and fawns on you face-to-face....the person who makes nasty comments every time they see an announcement about the Carnival in the bulletin...the person who finds fault with every human foible (real or imagined) of the pastor or associate pastors...the person who leaves the anonymous ( we DO have "Caller ID" by the way) phone messages for the Parish Secretary full of sarcasm...The only good thing about it is that I have sins to atone for; and this criticism is a means of expiation. Also, it needs to be put into the perspective of the many kind and laudatory things that are said in far greater number....
Oh, to the anonymous person who called today and wanted to know how " if the Parish is so poor, how can you afford re-doing the parking lot": it was the last project accomplished as a result of our Pilgrims Together campaign of a few years ago, to which you generously contributed. |