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 May,
Padre Pio Press Cordially Invites Its Readership to Join In Saying:
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Remote Preparation for Mental Prayer: Forgiveness Received and Extended
Cain Slaying Abel, Maxim Sheshukov, Unknown
Originally Published at TAN Direction
A young associate pastor once told me that when he would go to adoration or attempt mental prayer he would often see the angry face of his pastor in his mind. I suggested he forgive his pastor for whatever offenses he had committed and, obstacle removed, his prayer would be freed up to make progress.
Why this intimate connection between forgiveness and mental prayer?
When we love something, we discover a good in it. When our Lord decided to create us, we did not exist yet, there was no good for Him to discover in us. Rather in creating us, he poured that goodness […]
St. Augustine, How Is It At the Very Beginning of the Search for God?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part II: Three Conversions Through Trial: Trial I
The first trial is one of wandering and hunger. Once [man] has had enough of this trial and is brought to call out to God, he takes to the way of faith, that path whose journey will bring him to the city of Peace. For it is Christ who leads him, Christ who said, “I am the Way”.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger.
Man awakens in darkness to his condition of being mired in sin; lost, drowned, empty, lacking […]
St. Augustine, What is It Like For Man Before He Seeks God?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part I: Before Conversion
Whoever knows himself to be in the depths [that is lost in sin] cries out with groans and sighs until he is delivered from the depths..until [God’s] own image, that image which is man, is freed by God. Unless he is made anew and aright by God, he will remain in the depths… In order that men might not live even worse off through despair, God promised a safe harbor of forgiveness. Further, that they might not live the worse from hope of pardon, God made man’s date with death uncertain.
Laetare Sunday — Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Audio
Transcription
Abraham Bids Farewell to Hagar and Ishmael
Octateuch, s. XII. Rome, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, gr. 746, f. 80r
Translation of the Epistle for the Fourth Sunday of Lent:
Brethren: It is written that Abraham had two sons, one from the slave-girl the other from his free-born wife. The son of the slave-girl had been born according to the flesh, but the son of the free woman was the fruit of the promise. All this is an allegory. The two women stand for the two covenants, one of which was from Mt. Sinai (a mountain in Arabia), bringing forth children into slavery; this is Agar, and corresponds to the Jerusalem of […]