June 24 is the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, coming exactly half a year from Christmas. Everyone loves a birthday, but St. Elizabeth Ann Seton intuitively saw something the Catholic Church also uniquely sees: birthdays have a deep and powerful meaning.
I never gave much thought to what is involved when I hear or ask the question, “Don’t you understand?”
On occasion, some college campuses run a program called “The Last Lecture.” We have done it a few times at St. John’s.
"I can no longer hide the sorrow of my heart at hearing that much is to be desired in you. [...] Where is the spirit of fervor which animated you when you were first established in Angers and which led you to esteem your directors so highly? [...] Where are the...
Keeping in touch with Vincentian friends - whether or not they are part of any "official" branch -- is very Vincentian. Vincent kept in touch. He wrote over 30,00 pieces of correspondence. Imagine if he had Facebook and Twitter?! I've kept loosely in touch with a St....
A Vincentian View: The Lord Hears A number of phrases in the Scriptures of the past weeks have stayed in the front of my mind. I have felt the truth of these words and the considerable summons which they offer. From one hearing, they bring consolation and...
“It is my wish that, in the week preceding the World Day of the Poor… Christian communities will make every effort to create moments of encounter and friendship, solidarity and concrete assistance.”
Jesus is the bridegroom whom we await. We will enter with him into the wedding feast, if with wisdom we stay awake and are ready, with our lamps burning. Jesus informs us that we really do not know the day or the hour of his coming. He can come any day, even at an...
Admittedly I have been tremendously influenced by Vincentians in my adult life. Prior to that, I had known of the ministry of the Vincentians (read: I had heard of the St. Vincent de Paul Society) since I was little. Unfortunately, that probably remains the...
Jesus said it well. “The poor you will always have with you.” Could we not speak of welcoming and caring for our poorer brothers and sisters as an everlasting frontier?
"The Pope Video" series continues! This month, the Pope asks us to pray for Asia -- an enormous continent where people of diverse religions coexist, and where Christians are a minority. Let us listen to their testimony and learn from their openness to others....
Let me tell you about an encounter I had last weekend. I drove to Plymouth, Massachusetts Friday for a meeting Saturday of the Sisters of Charity Federation Associates from the Boston area. I was co-facilitating the meeting. Plymouth is where the Pilgrims aboard the...
