The Story of Frederico Abresch

Signor Federico Abresch was born into a Lutheran family in Germany. At the time of his marriage to a Catholic girl, he became a Catholic more as an accommodation to his wife's religion than out of sincere conviction. Hearing of Padre Pio as a great miracle worker, he went to visit him with skeptical curiosity. When he approached Padre Pio for confession, he was told of certain grave sins that were omitted in previous confessions. Abresch stated to Padre Pio that he thought confession was good 'psychologically' but he did not believe in the divinity of the sacrament. But, deeply moved by the fact that he had read his past life, he now believed. Signor Abresch stated:

"I was struck dumb with the overwhelming realization that I had come in contact with the supernatural. Then concealing his knowledge of my entire past under the form of questions he enumerated with precision and clarity all of my mortal sins. He made me understand, with most impressive words, the whole of their gravity, adding in a tone of voice that I shall never forget: 'You have launched a hymn to Satan, whereas Jesus, in His tremendous love, has broken Himself for you.' He then gave me a penance and absolved me. From that day to this I have been to daily Mass and Communion. Both I and my wife have become Franciscan tertiaries. Not only do I believe in the dogmas of the Catholic Church, but in everything she teaches. And I could not lose this faith without also losing my life."

Signor Abresch, like so many other converts of Padre Pio, decided to move to San Giovanni Rotondo where he could be near to the man who had completely changed his life. He became, so to speak, the official photographer of Padre Pio, and most of the pictures one sees of the famous stigmatist were taken by him. Both he and his son, Pio, served his Mass many times. Eventually his son became a priest in fulfillment of a prophecy of Padre Pio. According to this prophecy the boy was not only to be a priest but would some day be placed in a high position in the Church. Msgr. Pio Abresch is presently working in the Vatican. Frederico Abresch died in August, 1969, within a year of the death of his great spiritual father.

The story on Mr. Abresch was taken from the Immaculata magazine furnished by the National Centre for Padre Pio, Inc.    http://www.olrl.org/lives/padrepio.shtml