Formation
How Did America Get So Mean?
Noted columnist David Brooks caught my attention! In a September 2023 reflection in the Atlantic Monthly (Subscription required), he wrote Over the past eight years or so, I’ve been obsessed with two questions. The first is: Why have Americans become so sad? … My second, related question is: Why have Americans become so mean?
Frederic Ozanam and Vincentian Formation
The following video examines six elements that help spiritually form the members of the Society of St. Vincent de...
A Canadian View: Summer Reflections
As we approach the end of summer here in Canada, for myself and many others, we have had a summer of relaxation and an opportunity to enjoy time with family and exploring new and exciting parts of our vast nation.
St. Vincent’s Spiritual Way: the Process of Discernment in Daily Life
Fr. Hugh O’Donnell defines discernment as a process by which the Spirit calls us to use our freedom to act in a certain way. He defines it as “a choice, not between good and evil, but between two or more goods.”
A Note on Charity for Vincentian Month 2021
If charity is our rule, as Saint Vincent de Paul taught us, what does it look like?
Constitutive, Indispensable, Crucial
Jesus is constitutive of the Christian community. Do we say and live this as St. Vincent? Moises makes clear what truly matters. Jesus does so too. For the two of them, it is not about us. Or the group that we make up, chosen and gifted so as to serve others. ...
The Intuition of St. Vincent
Fr. Jean-Pierre Renouard, C.M. describes St. Vincent’s genius for bringing the laity into prominence in the charitable activity of the Church.
The Gift and Challenge of Vincentian Imagination
We talk, perhaps too glibly, of the Vincentian charism. For a moment, I would like to reframe the conversation. Let’s talk about the Vincentian imagination!
Rejoicing In Success – Challenged To Do More
So far, 44 branches of the Vincentian Family have engaged actively in the FHA and the 13 Houses Campaign. It is now present in 44 countries; 1826 houses have been built, and 6628 people have been helped.
Playing Favorites? (James 2:1-5)
I knew a close-knit family of 5 personable children, and as they got older, they would kid their mother about having a favorite.
Catechetical Sunday – Beyond Prepping For a “Regents Exam”
This reflection started out as a reflection on Catechetical Sunday but wandered off into a reflection on the mind of Christ. I finally came full circle and thought of catechesis as helping someone put on the mind of Christ.
Zealous for the House, the Kingdom, of God
Jesus burns with zeal for the house, for the kingdom, of God. Needless to say, the disciples are to be as zealous as their Teacher. John and Joshua show that they are zealous. John’s zeal is for those to whom Jesus has given the power to drive out demons. And...