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
Octave of Nativity 2022 – Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Transcription of Homily
At that time, after eight days were accomplished that the child should be circumcised. His name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
The saving words of the Gospel.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, the Holy Ghost. Amen.
His name is to be called Jesus.
We’re confronted with a number of testing periods in our life. And the Church has even marked these out for us. And we see this in Scripture, for example, the how 40 days or 40 years is always a period of testing. There were 40 days of the flood. Moses was in hiding in Hebron […]
Christmas 2021 – Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Transcription of Homily
We might find these words predictable by now, we’ve heard them so many times. We perhaps are not shocked by the fact that that there’s a child to be found in a manger doesn’t really make much sense. I mean, what does a manger? We think of it is something like this; well, a manger is a feed box. So that’s the sign, there will be a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes in a feed box; in a feeding trough. So that’s a little out of the ordinary, something that is also pointing towards something else.
When we take into account where this takes place, this takes place in Bethlehem, the city of David. Bethlehem, which […]
Gaudete Sunday 2021 – Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Transcription
In the Name of the Father and of the Son, the Holy Ghost, Amen.
Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday in which we are commanded by the Church to rejoice. That might sound like an odd command, saying to feel something. And it’s not said as a suggestion, it’s not presented as some sort of spiritual program to follow but were ordered to. And what does this mean?
Well, we set aside, to a certain extent, our Advent austerities, with the understanding that we have been busying ourselves with Advent austerities, and are told to take a break, to gaudete in Domino semper to rejoice in the Lord always. Then what does this mean, […]
Second Sunday of Advent 2021 – Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Transcription of Homily
Translation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
At that time: When John had heard in prison the works of Christ, sending two of his disciples he said to him: Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another? And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate, to John what you have heard and seen. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the Gospel preached to them: And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me. And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to […]
First Sunday of Advent 2021 – Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Transcription of Homily
Reading from the Epistle of blessed Paul, the Apostle to the Romans:
Brethren, it is now the hour for you to wake up from sleep. Because our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the Faith. The night is far gone, the day drawing near. Let us cast aside deeds of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Let us live honorably, as in daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual excess and lust, not in quarreling and jealously: instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke:
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: There will be signs in the sun, the […]
Audio Interview
Fr. Patrick Wainwright of the Podcast For College Catholics interviews Fr. Cliff Ermatinger about his new book, The Trouble with Magic.
Listen to more of Fr. Wainwrite
Buy the Book!
Advent – Time for “Holiday Parties” or Little Lent?
Origionally Published at TAN Direction
“But except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.”
—Luke 13:5
My childhood hero was Bishop Ignatius Kung.
We were told of his heroic suffering as a prisoner. The Chinese Communists (the same ones who recently gifted us with a man-made virus), permitted him to leave his solitary confinement of thirty years if he would only renounce his allegiance to Rome.
As a little boy, and later as a college student, I felt humbled and strengthened knowing that he was suffering a white martyrdom. I was proud that one of our own leaders understood so well what configuration with Christ meant and lived it out to its ultimate consequences. Little could I imagine that, as a young seminarian, I would […]