On the afternoon of February 4th, Rome received the bodies of two great Confessor Saints: Father Pio of Pietrelcina and Father Leopoldo Mandic. Pope Francis chose these two saints as examples of confessors during this Jubilee of Mercy and requested that their remains be transferred to Rome and displayed in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The bodies carried in transparent urns were received at the parish of San Salvatore in Lauro, located just over a kilometer from the Vatican. Some Legionary of Christ religious were present and had the opportunity to assist with the reception of the bodies and as extraordinary ministers of communion during the Mass celebrated in the church. There were also Legionary priests administering the sacrament of reconciliation to those attending the celebration.

It should be noted that at the parish of San Salvatore in Lauro, Legionaries help with catechesis and periodically organize evangelization missions with the parishioners.

The next day, February 5th, also in the afternoon, the bodies were transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica and placed in the nave, in front of the Confession Altar, for the veneration of all who attend the Basilica for the Year of Mercy. They will remain there until February 11th.

>”For me, Father Pio is an example of mercy because of his dedication, the time he spent in the confessional, the life he dedicated to that ministry, to that sacrament. And in my preparation as a future priest, it helps me to think of the instrument that God asks me to be to reach souls,” commented Brother Francesco Pícaro, LC, during the events.

Brother Estanislao Ormaeche, LC, commented that “this experience helps us learn from these two saints who taught us to recognize what God can do in us despite all our limits.” And he added: “We are sinners, but there is a God who loves us, forgives us, wants the best for us, and welcomes us. These two saints remind us of this.”