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
Palm Sunday — Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Audio
Christ Enters Jerusalem, Coptic Icon, Modern
Transcription of Homily
All of Matthew’s Gospel, up until this point of the entry, on a donkey, into Jerusalem, has been something of a didactic preparation/explanation of the Kingdom of Christ. And from Chapter 21, through the rest, all of this Gospel takes place in Jerusalem. And now it transforms itself; it becomes a sacramental presentation of the Kingdom of Christ. And so there’s this transformation that happens when Christ enters Jerusalem on a donkey.
And how does this happen? He sends two of His Apostles to go collect the donkey and a colt, and He tells them where they’re going to […]
St. Augustine, How Should the Converted Live Their Lives?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part V: Counsels for the Converted
For living among things human, we cannot withdraw from things human. We must live among evil men with forbearance, because when we used to be evil men, the good men lived with forbearance among us. If we do not forget what we have been, we will not despair of those who are not what we once were.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger.
All men are called to undertake the journey to God; none are not called. They do not, however, all undertake the journey at the same […]
St. Augustine, What Awaits Those Who are No Longer Attracted to Sin?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part IV: Three Conversions Through Trial: Trial III
This trial is a sort of lethargy one feels at the length of his life, finding no enjoyment in prayer or reading. Contrary to the first trial, which was a hungering, this trial is distaste for food. Adultery no longer attracts you, but neither does the word of God delight you…Be on guard that this inertia and disgust do not overtake you. This is no small trial. Cry out to the Lord that he may free you of these circumstances, and once freed from this trial, confess his mercies to him.
from […]
St. Augustine, Is it Easy After Man Has Found the Path to God?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part III: Three Conversions Through Trial: Trial II
The second trial is that of how to do good… In his crying out to the Lord, he is heard and the Lord breaks his chains of difficulty…To abstain from every sort of sin has not become easy. God could have granted this without difficulties, but if there were no difficulties, we would not appreciate the Giver of this good gift. For if man at first did not feel the weight of desire’s chains whenever he wished, and his soul were not wounded by the weight of its chains, he would think to attribute what […]
