Blog2026-06-19T17:33:38-05:00

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:

Western
Culture

Order with Chaos

Spiritual
Growth

Chaos Seeking Order

Traditional
Liturgy

Divine Order Offered
to Restore Order

Spiritual
Combat

Resisting Absolute Chaos

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 Does Prayer Impact the Soul?

Question 037.

What effects does prayer bring about in the soul?

Prayer produces a certain conversion of the heart towards him who is already ready to give inasmuch as we are in condition to receive.  And in this conversion a purification of the interior eye is wrought in such a way that those things in the temporal order which we used to desire are excluded.  In this way the inner eye, having become pure, can withstand the pure light… but not only withstanding the light, it dwells in it too.

from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger.

 

Prayer brings about two changes in […]

By |May 19th, 2022|Categories: Spiritual Growth, St. Augustine on Prayer|

Fourth Sunday After Easter — Homily by Fr. Ermatinger

The Creation of Adam, Michelangelo, c. 1512

Translation of the Epistle for the Fourth Sunday of Easter.

Dearly beloved, every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creatures. You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak, and slow to anger. For the anger of man worketh […]

By |May 16th, 2022|Categories: Homilies, Traditional Liturgy|

St. Augustine, How Does Charity Relate to Prayer?

Question 036.

What relation does charity have to prayer?

Whoever has brotherly charity, and his heart withstands the interrogation of a just examination of conscience, discovering nothing but the true root of charity from which good fruits come, by this man has confidence in God and shall indeed receive from him whatever he asks, because he keeps his commandments.

from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger.

 

When one prays, what is it that one asks for? One prays in the hope of receiving those good things of God that He has promised. The chief of these good things is Himself – that the distance between oneself and […]

By |May 15th, 2022|Categories: Spiritual Growth, St. Augustine on Prayer|

St. Augustine, How Does Increasing Prayer Increase Faith?

Question 035. 

So there seem to be degrees of faith.  Can we say that the degree of faith we have is determined by our degree of prayer?

Consider the Apostles:  they would never have left all they had, trodden this world’s hopes underfoot, and followed the Lord if their faith were not great.  And yet, if their faith were perfect, they would not have said to the Lord, “increase our faith.”… “Lord, I believe.  Help my unbelief.”  ‘I believe’ there was faith.  But, ‘help my unbelief’: therefore, this was an imperfect faith.

from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger.

 

By |May 13th, 2022|Categories: Spiritual Growth, St. Augustine on Prayer|

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