John Freund, CM
Author
![Vincent Showed Us… With Help from Women](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/02/vincent-women-problem-solving-1.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/02/who-said-that-featured.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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?](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/02/personality-quiz-change-agent.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/02/waking-up.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/02/featured-lens3-1.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/02/be-bridge-to-belonging-FB.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/02/millennial-vincentian-virtues-lent.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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?](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/02/london-marathon-fi.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/01/systemic-change-ask-yourself.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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?](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2018/01/pope-praying-rome-symposium.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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...