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, What Awaits Those Who are No Longer Attracted to Sin?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part IV: Three Conversions Through Trial: Trial III
This trial is a sort of lethargy one feels at the length of his life, finding no enjoyment in prayer or reading. Contrary to the first trial, which was a hungering, this trial is distaste for food. Adultery no longer attracts you, but neither does the word of God delight you…Be on guard that this inertia and disgust do not overtake you. This is no small trial. Cry out to the Lord that he may free you of these circumstances, and once freed from this trial, confess his mercies to him.
from […]
St. Augustine, Is it Easy After Man Has Found the Path to God?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part III: Three Conversions Through Trial: Trial II
The second trial is that of how to do good… In his crying out to the Lord, he is heard and the Lord breaks his chains of difficulty…To abstain from every sort of sin has not become easy. God could have granted this without difficulties, but if there were no difficulties, we would not appreciate the Giver of this good gift. For if man at first did not feel the weight of desire’s chains whenever he wished, and his soul were not wounded by the weight of its chains, he would think to attribute what […]
Passion Sunday — Homily by Fr. Ermatinger
Audio
Church of St Anne, Berlin, NH
Transcription of Homily
Translation of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews.
Brethren, Christ, being come an high priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hand, that is, not of this creation: Neither by the blood of goats, or of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the holies, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and of oxen, and the ashes of an heifer being sprinkled, sanctify such as are defiled, to the cleansing of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, […]
Remote Preparation for Mental Prayer: Forgiveness Received and Extended
Cain Slaying Abel, Maxim Sheshukov, Unknown
Originally Published at TAN Direction
A young associate pastor once told me that when he would go to adoration or attempt mental prayer he would often see the angry face of his pastor in his mind. I suggested he forgive his pastor for whatever offenses he had committed and, obstacle removed, his prayer would be freed up to make progress.
Why this intimate connection between forgiveness and mental prayer?
When we love something, we discover a good in it. When our Lord decided to create us, we did not exist yet, there was no good for Him to discover in us. Rather in creating us, he poured that goodness […]