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On Pentecost, they received the gift of God’s Spirit and they realized they had a mission to accomplish. Pentecost changed them… but not fully. As we have seen in the readings of the Acts of the Apostles they still had a lot to learn about their mission.
Louise and Vincent – Remembering a Forgotten Truth About Their Collaboration
As we approach the celebration of the feast of St. Louise perhaps we can rediscover a forgotten truth about the collaboration between Louise and Vincent.
Can We Recover Some “Forgotten truths” About St. Vincent?
Some forgotten truths about Vincent and first steps in reclaiming.
An Ecological or Systemic Change Approach to Vincentian Family Vocations
I invite “every member of the Vincentian Family to take one very concrete step; that is, every member is to bring one new candidate to one of the branches of the Vincentian Family.” An ecological approach to vocations.
Vincentians and the Serenity Prayer
We all know of the serenity prayer. How did Vincent and our models in the Vincentian Family live the serenity prayer? How can we?
Advocacy, Going Against the Flow, as a Dimension of Holiness
Pope Francis, in his recent writing explaining everyday holiness tells us “Hungering and thirsting for righteousness: that is holiness.”
Can We Recognize The Seasons Of Our Lives?
Life happens in seasons. God does not waste seasons. What can I learn from the seasons of life of those who inspire me?
Do You Pray For Systemic Change?
When things are important to us we pray. Perhaps we should ask when was the last time we prayed for the success of systemic changes?
Dreams – Martin Luther King, Frederic Ozanam, St. Vincent, Our Own
Is your dream still alive? How would you put it in words?
If Einstein Is Right…
Why do we feed, clothe and house the marginalized over and over?
Holy Week – The Greatest Systemic Change in Human Consciousness
“Do you understand what I have done for you?”… I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. … Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13: 11-17
Has Your Experience of Holy Week Changed Over the Years?
In asking “Has Your Experience of Holy Week Changed Over the Years?” would you be surprised to look back and see that it has?
Anniversaries – Pope Francis (5) and St. Vincent (400)
We just marked two anniversaries – the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis and the 400th anniversary of the Vincentian charism or way of following Christ the Evangelizer of the Poor. What are the lessons for us?
“If You See Something, Say Something” – A Vincentian Perspective
A Vincentian reading of “If you See Something, Say Something.” Being the voice of the Voiceless.
Every Saint Has A Past, Every Sinner Has A Future
“The only difference between a saint and a sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.”
The Foundation Story for Vincentian Systemic Change
The story of the sermon at Châtillon is not only the foundation story of the Ladies of Charity, it is the foundation for what we call today systemic change.
Vincent Read the Signs of His Times – Do we?
What are the events in our lives that open our eyes to spiritual poverty? What are the events that bring us face to face with physical sufferings we tend to be blind to?
Vincent Showed Us… With Help from Women
Vincent showed us how to change systems St. Vincent showed us how to do systemic change… but he did not leave a formal manual or even call it "systemic change." Vincent was not what would today be called a "systems thinker.” Vincent was what I call a “systems doer.”...
Venerable Vincentian Voices speak on Almsgiving
Two venerable Vincentian voices speak to us from the past on almsgiving. Do you recognize them? What do they say about seeing the person to whom you offer alms?
Does Any Of This Fit You?
Do any of the following characteristics fit you? You might be surprised by what it says about you.
A Lifetime of Waking Up
Lent is a time of waking up. Vincentian Lent is waking up using St. Vincent de Paul’s spiritual exercises of the the five virtues.
Connecting Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day and Systemic Change
At first glance, it may seem like quite a stretch to connect Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day and Systemic Change. But hear me out. Actually, it is not that hard.
Vincentians Are About Belonging… And Tension
Heeding the call to conversion that translates into being servants of hospitality and communion and belonging brings with it tension. But this tension is part and parcel of the Gospel challenge to wake up to belonging. Let’s be the bridge to belonging.
St. John Paul II – Lenten Challenge to Me Personally… and beyond
Personal and societal systemic change come together!
A Vincentian Version of the Super Bowl?
Ultimately our mission as followers of Christ the Evangelizer of the poor is to help our brothers and sisters across the finish line of awareness that we are brothers and sisters because we are sons and daughters of God.
The State of Systemic Change in the Vincentian Family
What is the “state of systemic change” in the Vincentian Family?
The Vincentian Question – What Must be Done?
One of St. Vincent’s benefactors turned to Vincent de Paul and asked: “what must be done?” Often referred to as the "Vincentian Question," this question has shaped the Vincentian mission ever since. I was reminded of this when a read some commentary on the Women’s...
It is Important to Tell Success Stories
Telling our success stories is a key to moving past the impasse of “no margin-no mission" Mission or Margin "No Margin, No Mission” is frequently heard in non-profit circles, especially from those charged with safeguarding the long-term viability of a non-profit. The...
“They Look Just Like You and Me”
“They (people in poverty) look just like you and me.” The sentence caught me.
Who said…?
Who do you think said it? Pope Francis? Maybe St. Vincent? When were these words uttered? Within the past month? Year?