Reflections

Pope Francis – Confession Changed His Life

by John Freund, CM | March 24, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

In 1953 at the age of 17, Pope Francis had a life-changing experience in confession.

“Homelessness is a silent war on children”

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | March 23, 2023 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections | 1 Comment

What is the average age of homeless persons in America? Over 50 Between 30 and 49 Between 15 and 29 Below 15 I really wonder how many would have guessed age 11, much less that it is a well-researched fact. (as of January 2022). More info at this link Cynthia Griffith...

Never Alone (John 11:1-45)

by Tom McKenna, CM | March 22, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment

One of the heaviest of feelings is the one of being alone. You hear it in the cry of an infant, and more generally you catch it in the forlorn look of any lonely person.

Facing St. Joseph’s Challenges Today

by John Freund, CM | March 22, 2023 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments

Often we want to get around troubles and challenges in life rather than go through them. If only we could skip from the beginning to the end without going through the middle.

Five Faces of Justin De Jacobis

by Javier F. Chento | Jul 26, 2023 | Formation, Reflections, Spirituality and Spiritual Practice

If I had to pick a single Daughter of Charity to present to the sisters as a model, I would pick Rosalie Rendu. If I had to pick a single missionary to present to the confreres, I would pick Justin de Jacobis.

Drinking At The Fountain of God’s Word (Isaiah 55: 10-11)

by Tom McKenna, CM | Jul 26, 2023 | Formation, Reflections

With this hot weather scorching many parts of the globe, it’s not hard to appreciate the metaphor the prophet Isaiah offers as a picture of how it is between ourselves and God — more specifically, between ourselves and the Word of God.

Has Pope Francis “Made a Mess?”

by John Freund, CM | Jul 26, 2023 | Formation, Reflections

Almost ten years ago to the day, Pope Francis told young people his hopes for World Youth Day. The sound bite people remember… “make a mess.”

Experiencing The Spirit’s Descent (Acts 10: 25-48)

by Tom McKenna, CM | May 19, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

When we meet love in our lives, we are experiencing The Spirit.

Unrecognized Experts

by John Freund, CM | May 19, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change, Vincentian Family

People experiencing poverty have an expertise that can not be taught in a classroom. They know their situation from the inside. They understand many dimensions of poverty that may not occur to us.

Noise, Driving Wind, Tongues of Fire

by Ross Dizon | May 18, 2021 | Formation, Reflections

Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit that comes from the Father (Jn 15, 26). And not to have this Spirit is not to belong to Christ, and not be but noise. It is not that God likes noise. In fact, he was in a soft whisper (1 Kgs 19, 12). But he has to vie for people’s...