AN URGENT GUIDE TO CATHOLICS

Rev. Fr. David Okolie

Dearest friends,

I feel compelled to share a crucial message with you. I promise to make it brief. Just read through.

I am sure that many of you must have heard stories about PADRE PIO (i.e, St. Pio of Pietrelcina) and the many great MIRACLES God has accomplished through him while he was alive and even now that he is no longer here with us. There are many testimonies about this great saint and I am also a beneficiary of his powerful intercession.

But despite the greatness of PADRE PIO, I am sure that not many Catholics know about this other side of his life here on earth: that he was BANNED by the Vatican from celebrating public Masses (i.e Masses with the faithful in attendance) for many years. The reason was that there were accusations and suspicions concerning the AUTHENTICITY of his SPIRITUAL GIFTS. So, while he was withdrawn from the CROWD, he was subjected to serious SCRUTINY and what eventually gave him the great HONOUR he enjoyed before he died and still enjoys today in the Church was his HUMILITY and OBEDIENCE to the Authority of the Church.

👉🏼Now, when we were learning the Church’s history at the initial stage of our Seminary formation, we learnt, among other things, about one Catholic MONK who hid MAGICAL powers behind a Statue of Jesus Christ and many persons were gathering in the monastery where he was to obtain ‘Miracles’. However, the Monk’s diabolical activities were later uncovered and he suffered the punishment and shame that followed. Thus, we understood in our study of the Church’s History that there is nothing really new in this Catholic Church. The Church has seen many seemingly true but FAKE ‘Miracles‘; the Church has equally seen GENUINE Miracles.

So, based on the Church’s rich Spiritual and Historical experiences, she is in a better position to GUIDE you and I. Also, based on her OBLIGATION from Jesus Christ himself, the Church faithfully guides the faithful towards their wellbeing here on earth and then into HEAVEN.

Therefore, it becomes worrisome when we see a number of Catholics, because of some life challenges, refuse to HEED the GUIDANCE that the Church offers through the BISHOPS who are the Shepherds of our souls. Does that not resemble the case of a sheep that refuses to follow the guidance of the Good Shepherd? Where do you think such sheep would end up? It will surely wander down into oblivion. Jesus himself said: “Whoever HEARS you, hears me. And whoever DESPISES you, despises me. And whoever despises me, DESPISES him who sent me” (cf. Lk 10:16).

👉🏼 Finally, beloved Catholics, how on earth do you really think that those who act CONTRARY to the guidelines of the Church would lead you into HEAVEN? Please, do not allow an UNBRIDLED quest for ‘SIGNS and WONDERS’ to make you lose Heaven eventually; for ‘what shall it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your SOUL?’ (cf. Mk 8:36).

Remain blessed🙏🏼