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 July,
Padre Pio Press Cordially Invites Its Readership to Join in Saying:
Litany of the Most
Precious Blood of Jesus
St. Augustine, Are “The Elect” In Need of Prayer?
Question 028.
Does this mean that Augustine counts himself among “the elect,” and therefore not in need of prayer?
When you find me in these books, pray that I might not fail, but reach perfection. Pray, my son, pray…You would cheat me of great help if you were not to do so. But not only you, but anyone who by your witness should come to love me, let him pray for me, too. Read Sacred Scriptures, and you will discover that the Apostles, shepherds of Christ’s flock, asked it of their hearers… We have been placed over you, for you are of God’s flock… Ask, then, for us what we […]
Low Sunday / Divine Mercy Sunday — Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Audio
Altar Mosaic, Dominus Flevit Church, Mount of Olives
Transcription of Homily
Translation of the Epistle for Low Sunday:
Dearly beloved, whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ: not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit which testifieth, that Christ is the truth. And there are three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one. And […]
Divine Mercy
In her Diary, St. Faustina records a special promise given to her by Jesus. He told her to communicate it to the whole world:
My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy (699).
In three places in her Diary, St. Faustina records our Lord’s promises of specific, extraordinary graces:
I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy […]
A Prayer to Our Lady of Mercy
Madonna della Misericordia, Simone Martini, 1308
Prayer to Our Lady of Mercy
St. Augustine
Blessed Virgin Mary,
who can worthily repay you with praise
and thanks for having rescued a fallen world
by your generous consent!
Receive our gratitude,
and by your prayers obtain the pardon of our sins.
Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven
and enable them to make our peace with God.
Holy Mary, help the miserable,
strengthen the discouraged,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for your people,
plead for the clergy,
intercede for all women consecrated to God.
May all who venerate you
feel now your help and protection.
Be ready to help us when we pray,
and bring back to us the answers to our prayers.
Make it your continual concern
to pray for the […]
St. Augustine, How Does Prayer Work With Predestination?
Question 027.
How does our prayer play a part in predestination?
It is precisely by our prayer that [God] wants to remind us from whom we receive such benefits. For from whom do we receive but from him who it is fitting to ask… [The Church] prays that the incredulous might believe; hence, God converts them to the faith. She prays that believers persevere; hence, God grants them final perseverance. God foreknew that he would do all of this. And this is the predestination of the saints.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger.
Predestination is […]
