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 July,
Padre Pio Press Cordially Invites Its Readership to Join in Saying:
Litany of the Most
Precious Blood of Jesus
St. Augustine, Do We Only Praise God For Good Things?
Question 044
Other than God’s deserving our praise, does Augustine offer any motivations to praise God?
Those who praise you, O Lord, speak of the excellence of your terrible deeds, the greatness of the work of your hands which punish and distribute discipline. They shall speak and will not remain silent…For it is the praise of God that sets you on your way that ought to show you both what you should love and what you should fear… Let the excellence of your terrible things be proclaimed now. Although it is endless, so, too, your greatness has no end, and they shall not be silent about of it. How shall they tell […]
Devotion To St. Michael Part I
Devotion to St. Michael the Archangel
— How Did it Begin?
Part I Of A Talk Given By Fr. Ermatinger
St Stanislaus’ Sursum Corda Young Adults Group
Part I
Outline
Hospitality of Abraham, Andrei Rublev, 1411
Opening Prayers — 0:00-0:41
Angelology In the ’90s — New Age Spirituality 0:41-1:54
Sources of Catholic Angelology — 1:54-2:50
Where Did Devotion to St. Michael Come From? — 2:50-4:25
Creeds as Windows Into Development Through Conflict — 4:25-6:00
Old Testament Angelology as Read by the Early Church Fathers — 6:00-11:50
Genesis 18 — 6:27-8:10
Genesis 19 — 8:10-8:36
Early Church Fathers’ Interpretations — 8:36-11:27
Genesis 32 — 11:27-50
Certain Consistency […]
St. Augustine, How Do Our Prayers Please God?
Question 043
What makes our praise so pleasing to God?
Would you sing a psalm? Then do not sound God’s praises with voice alone, but put your works in harmony with your voice… “Let your praises be pleasing to our God.” How? By praising him with the goodness of our lives. Take heed of that and then your praise will be pleasing to him…If praise in the mouth of a sinner is unseemly, then it cannot be pleasing, for only what is seemly pleases.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger
The condition that man finds himself in is one of dis-integration; whether […]
Solemnity of Pentecost — Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Audio in Full Post
Transcription of Homily
Hetoimasia Icon / The Holy Spirit and the Preparation of the Throne of the Lord
Translation of the Epistle for the Solemnity of Pentecost
When the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy […]