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
St. Augustine, What Else Might Help Me in Prayer?
Question 004
What else will help me along the way in the life of prayer?
Fasting and abstinence from satisfying sensual pleasure..along with almsgiving…. How can God, intangible Spirit, be touched by hands by any other way than by good works?”
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger.
As has been discussed (Question 2), the work of prayer is the gradual letting go of the goods that one personally prefers and instead desiring to receive those things which God deems good, according to His pleasure. Fasting and abstinence help one for in those activities one sets aside those truly good things of […]
Listen, While I Tell Again the Story of the Lord’s Mercies, What Renown the Lord has Won
Part II in a Series by Pseudo-Ermatinger
Bergidyll Hans Dahl (ca. 1900)
The little of our Heavenly Father that we see in this world below is enough to cry out to Him Glory! — at least it should be. Creation cries out to Him unceasingly, praising Him for the sundry multitude and pluralform of its many and varied existences (cfr. Ps 19:1-4; Dan 3:52-90). We, who are a part of creation, far off from God doubly — from the expanse of the distance of His divinity to our humanity and from the gulf of […]
St. Augustine, How do I Begin to Pray?
Question 003
What do I need to begin to pray?
Your desire is itself your prayer. And if your desire is continuous, then your prayer is continuous as well.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger.
Like all labors in this life, the beginning of labor is first the desire to undertake the labor. The labor of prayer is no different. However, there is the tendency to complex prayer into a work that needs more effort to start than the simple attraction of the soul to begin the undertaking. The hurdles of doubts about God and myriad other trepidations are in reality but […]
