The movement of the human soul, and human society in general, from its fallen chaotic state towards divine order is at the heart of the Blog of Padre Pio Press. Writings, ponderings, and reflections on this movement of the soul are authored by Fr. Cliff Ermatinger and by the occasional Guest Contributor. The articles and recordings are relegated to the following areas:
During the Month of June, Which is Devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Padre Pio Press Invites Its Readership to Join In Saying:
in the morning The Litany of Humility
The Litany of the Sacred Heart at night 
In Reparation for All the Ways He is Blasphemined,
Consolation for All The Times He is Ignored,
and Veneration for All that He Continues to Give to Us.
During the Month of June, Which is
Devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Padre Pio Press Invites Its Readership to Join In Saying:
in the morning
The Litany of Humility
:
and at night,
The Litany of the Sacred Heart
In Reparation for
All the Ways He is Blasphemed,
Consolation for All the Times
He is Ignored,
and Veneration for All that
He Continues to Give to Us.
St. Augustine, How Should We Receive God’s Gifts?
Question 53
How can we receive what God bestows graciously?
The faith-filled man begins to treat this world with indifference. Suddenly he is not lifted up when prosperity comes his way, nor is he crushed under adversity, but he learns to praise God in all things…We should receive it all with God’s praise in our mouths, regardless of the nature of the gift, because we praise the Giver, not the gift.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger
Though it be that our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world […]
St. Augustine, How Can We Have God More Readily Answer Our Prayers?
Question 52
What makes our prayer of petition more efficacious?
“By fasting, long watches, and every type of mortification of the body, prayer is supported (Tob. 12:8).” Each should do what she can… The one who can accomplish less should not hold the others back. The one who can accomplish more should not lord it over those who cannot… strive in prayer to be victorious in overcoming this world. Pray with hope, pray with faith and love. Pray with perseverance and patience.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger
When a person makes a petition to obtain […]
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost — Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Parable of the Unjust Steward, A.N. Mironov, 2021
Transcription of Homily
Translation of the Epistle for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost.
We are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear; but […]
St. Augustine, Are Those Who Do Not Pray Condemned?
Question 51
What about those who do not know to pray for themselves? Are they lost?
There are gifts that God gives even to those who do not pray, such as the birth of faith. And there are gifts that God gives only to those who pray, such as final perseverance.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger
Man is a religious being, homo religiosus, created as imago Dei. He has the Law written upon his heart (cfr. Rom 2:15) easily identified throughout the varied cultures of man […]
