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:
Throughout the Month of August,
Padre Pio Press Cordially Invites Its Readership to Join in Saying:
Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
St. Augustine, Can Our Prayers Obtain Graces for Others?
Question 025.
St. Augustine speaks of obtaining grace for oneself through prayer. Can we obtain grace for others through prayer? Is there a social element to prayer?
We pray for all the human race, for the entire world, for all people… We do so that they correct themselves and become pure of heart, turning to God and his rectitude, and thus adhere to him…Let us pray for those not yet called, that they may be called. It could happen that they are predestined in the following way: that their salvation is dependent upon our prayer in such a way that through it they receive the grace to choose to be among the […]
For Easter Sunday
Christ Appearing to His Mother, Juan de Flandes, 1500-1504
For Holy Saturday
Le Christ aux limbes, Unknown
St. Augustine, Is There Anything We Can Do On Our Own?
Question 024.
Do we really have to pray for God’s grace? Can’t we make it on our own?
Give to me what you command of me, and demand of me whatever you want… When the Lord tells us “convert to me and I will convert to you”, what else is he saying than: ‘do what I command you’? And when we say to the Lord: ‘turn to us, Lord, and we will turn to you,’ what else are we saying than: ‘give us what we need to accomplish what you command’? (for) the law was therefore given, in order that grace might be sought [through prayer]
St. Augustine, What is the Synergism between Prayer and Grace?
Question 023.
What is more important, prayer or grace?
God has desired that in spiritual combat we might fight with prayers than with our own strength… God does not command the impossible, but when he commands, he orders you to do what you can and to ask for what you cannot do on your own in order that he help you to do what you cannot accomplish on your own… Join yourself to the eternity of God, and together with him wait for those things which are beneath you. Because when your heart cleaves to God, all mortal things are beneath you. God gives help so that the command becomes possible… He […]
