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 is the Work of Prayer?
Question 002
What happens in prayer?
“The Lord our God wants us to petition him, not in order to inform him…but that we might be prepared to receive what he wants to bestow upon us…in proportion to our simplicity of faith, firmness of hope, and ardor of desire, we will be able to be more open to receiving what is immensely great, which neither eye has seen, nor ear has heard…”
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger.
The life of prayer begins with our petitioning our Father for the things that we desire; initially focused on the desires of the self – a child’s prayer for […]
Come, Let Us Go Up to the Mountain of the LORD
Part I in a Series by Pseudo-Ermatinger
Soria Moria by Theodor Kittelsen (1881)
Gregory the Sinaite instructed those who desired to pray to take a guide, lest they get lost in the venture. Who then should we take for our guide? There is a two-fold temptation; the first, to chart our course using our wiles or to despair that no sure guide can be found. The first is to wander aimlessly in the dark of hubris and the second is to remain fixed in place blinded by the noonday devil.
If the Sacred Scriptures were before us, would we […]
St. Augustine, What is Prayer?
Question 001
What is prayer?
… prayer can be compared to the breath of the soul…this life is for praying, (while) in heaven there will be no praying only praising… In prayer we turn to God alone, because… we are all beggars before God…we can only plead.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger.
In the prayers of this life, man is a threefold beggar; 1.) As a creature, everything that he has and ever will have comes from God’s magnanimity. 2.) On account of his sins and turning away from God, he has forfeited all and can only hope upon God’s mercy. 3.) On account of […]
