One of the reasons for Saint Vincent de Paul to be considered a key figure in the history of the holiness of the Church is his style of living his vocation. Each week we will present an example.
Reflections
Where is human dignity, I ask?
On Monday, May 9, 2022, Maya Davis, a graduating nursing student, gave the following sermon in our last Religion 399 African American Faith and Social Justice class. I asked Maya if I could share her words with the world. Let the words of her mouth and the meditations of her heart be acceptable, Oh Lord.
Are Christians “Woke”… Or “Waking Up”?
Today we increasingly hear about being “woke.” In this Vincentian Mindwalk I will try to move beyond any narrow political meanings.
All our Work Consists in Action
St. Vincent was fond of the classic adage, "Totum opus nostrum in operatione consistit." "All of our work consists in action." Or, again, "All our works end up in action." or, more loosely, "Action is our entire task." This applies to everyone, especially leaders....
A Vincentian View: Beauty and the Beast
A Vincentian View: Beauty and the Beast As a child, like most of you, I heard and read the story of “Beauty and the Beast” many times. As an adult, I saw the animated Disney Movie (with Angela Lansbury beautifully singing the title song) and a Broadway version. Now,...
Knowledge for Christian Service
Knowledge of Christ is what matters above all. Those who know him receive in trust keys of authority to serve others faithfully and caringly. The Father, Lord of heaven and earth, gives to the childlike the knowledge he hides from those who are wise. Peter is among...
Remembering the Lord
In Kishwahili language of Africa, the Book of Deuteronomy in Bible is called “Kumbukumbu la Torati” which means “Remembering the Torah”. This name is very apt to this book because we find in it in many places there is a constant appeal to the Israelites to remember...
Wonder Women – Vincentian style
A recent post in the National Catholic Reporter, "Does Christianity have a Wonder Woman”, triggered thoughts about the women in our own Vincentian tradition. In the Reporter, Jennifer Mertens wrote: As one of millions who have been introduced (or reintroduced) to...
The Value of Effort
At this time, in many countries of the northern hemisphere the school year begins. As a reflection on the value of effort and the importance of education, we invite you to see, comment and share the following video, an animated short story that tells us how education...
Evangelizing:“assumptions” about Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, and social justice
Catholics often struggle to explain doctrines to their friends (Catholic by birth and/or non-Catholic). We often think "everyone knows." We have assumptions. John Kane, in his Denver Post commentary "Holy day highlights Catholic “assumptions” about Virgin Mary, mother...
Expecting and Seeing
Expecting and Seeing (Matthew 13:13) Some time ago I went to see a touring art exhibit featuring Monet’s water lilies. Laid out in three big murals that were hung together, it wrapped around the room to give the visitor a sense of being right there at the pond’s edge....
Does charity choke justice? On the Limits of Charity (part 2)
David Hilfiker, a veteran of decades of direct service with the poor, raised questions 15 years ago in a 2001 article from The Other Side magazine exploring the tension between charity and justice. This is the second of a two-part reflection on his writings. Symptoms...
