Blog2026-07-01T09:32:56-05:00

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 July,
Padre Pio Press Cordially Invites Its Readership to Join in Saying:

Litany of the Most
Precious Blood of Jesus


St. Augustine, Is Vocal Prayer Necessary?

Question 038.

If contemplation is the height of all prayer, why should we use vocal prayer?

At certain stipulated times, we employ words in our prayer to God. And it is by signs such as these that we correct ourselves and discover the degree of progress obtained in this desire, in order to burn even more and achieve an increase in strength. According to the proportion of the ardor of our desire before a prayer is uttered, so will be its effectiveness.

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

Vocal prayer can be done in private, in solitary or with others, or in public, in solitary or […]

By |May 20th, 2022|Categories: Spiritual Growth, St. Augustine on Prayer|

St. Augustine, How Does Prayer Impact the Soul?

Question 037.

What effects does prayer bring about in the soul?

Prayer produces a certain conversion of the heart towards him who is already ready to give inasmuch as we are in condition to receive.  And in this conversion a purification of the interior eye is wrought in such a way that those things in the temporal order which we used to desire are excluded.  In this way the inner eye, having become pure, can withstand the pure light… but not only withstanding the light, it dwells in it too.

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

 

Prayer brings about two changes in […]

By |May 19th, 2022|Categories: Spiritual Growth, St. Augustine on Prayer|

Fourth Sunday After Easter — Homily by Fr. Ermatinger

The Creation of Adam, Michelangelo, c. 1512

Translation of the Epistle for the Fourth Sunday of Easter.

Dearly beloved, every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creatures. You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak, and slow to anger. For the anger of man worketh […]

By |May 16th, 2022|Categories: Homilies, Traditional Liturgy|

St. Augustine, How Does Charity Relate to Prayer?

Question 036.

What relation does charity have to prayer?

Whoever has brotherly charity, and his heart withstands the interrogation of a just examination of conscience, discovering nothing but the true root of charity from which good fruits come, by this man has confidence in God and shall indeed receive from him whatever he asks, because he keeps his commandments.

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

 

When one prays, what is it that one asks for? One prays in the hope of receiving those good things of God that He has promised. The chief of these good things is Himself – that the distance between oneself and […]

By |May 15th, 2022|Categories: Spiritual Growth, St. Augustine on Prayer|

Go to Top