Blog2026-04-30T22:51:57-05:00

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

Throughout the Month of May,

Padre Pio Press Cordially Invites Its Readership to Join In Saying:

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary


Sunday After Ascension — Homily by Fr. Ermatinger

Audio in Full Post

Transcription of Homily

Detail from Dutch Manuscript

Translation of the Holy Gospel according to St. John:

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, when the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony of me. And you shall give testimony, because you are with me from the beginning. These things have I spoken to you, that you may not be scandalized. They will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth a service to God. And these things will they do to you; because […]

By |May 30th, 2022|Categories: Homilies, Traditional Liturgy|

St. Augustine, What is Praise?

Question 041. Part I

What is praise?

Do not think that he can be praised enough whose greatness is endless.  Should not then your praise be endless since he has no end?… Praise of God sets you on your way and should determine what you ought to love and what you should fear; what you should seek, and what you should avoid…The silence of the heart is the cooling of charity, the cry of praise is charity’s fervor…You are great, O Lord, and greatly to be praised…Man, but a particle of your creation, desires to praise you.  You move us to delight in praising you; for you have made us for […]

By |May 29th, 2022|Categories: Spiritual Growth, St. Augustine on Prayer|

St. Augustine, How Can Song Be A Prayer?

Question 040.

Can song really be counted as prayer?

Singing is proper to one in love… Jubilee is a sort of sound which means that the heart wants to give birth to that which cannot be uttered.  And who deserves such jubilation if not the ineffable God?  And ineffable is that which cannot be said or even touched.  What remains if not jubilation in that the heart opens itself to a wordless joy, and the joy increases beyond the limits of the spoken word.

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

 

There is a certain mystery to song:  

First, song seems to […]

By |May 25th, 2022|Categories: Spiritual Growth, St. Augustine on Prayer|

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