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 August,
Padre Pio Press Cordially Invites Its Readership to Join in Saying:
Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
St. Augustine, How Should One Pray for Unbelievers?
Question 026.
What about non-believers?
For God, who has fulfilled all that he predestines, wants us to pray for the enemies of the faith, too, so that we would in turn see that it is he who gives to the unbelievers, too, the gift of faith. And it is he who makes men who formerly were unwilling, to become men who do will it.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger.
The desire of prayer is that the good things of God might be given and received by those to which they are given. Those who do not believe fall into two camps: those […]
St. Augustine, Can Our Prayers Obtain Graces for Others?
Question 025.
St. Augustine speaks of obtaining grace for oneself through prayer. Can we obtain grace for others through prayer? Is there a social element to prayer?
We pray for all the human race, for the entire world, for all people… We do so that they correct themselves and become pure of heart, turning to God and his rectitude, and thus adhere to him…Let us pray for those not yet called, that they may be called. It could happen that they are predestined in the following way: that their salvation is dependent upon our prayer in such a way that through it they receive the grace to choose to be among the […]
For Easter Sunday
Christ Appearing to His Mother, Juan de Flandes, 1500-1504
For Holy Saturday
Le Christ aux limbes, Unknown
St. Augustine, Is There Anything We Can Do On Our Own?
Question 024.
Do we really have to pray for God’s grace? Can’t we make it on our own?
Give to me what you command of me, and demand of me whatever you want… When the Lord tells us “convert to me and I will convert to you”, what else is he saying than: ‘do what I command you’? And when we say to the Lord: ‘turn to us, Lord, and we will turn to you,’ what else are we saying than: ‘give us what we need to accomplish what you command’? (for) the law was therefore given, in order that grace might be sought [through prayer]