We all know Pope Francis is advocating for “listening church.” How might listening apply in our efforts with the homeless community?
Reflections
The Small Pleasures of Life • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
by Javier F. Chento | April 27, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
A Polarized Church both Then and Now
by John Freund, CM | April 26, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Growing up, I was fascinated by fading pictures meticulously glued into some decades-old family albums. There I saw pictures of my mother and father before I was born.
A Vincentian View: The Good Shepherd
by Pat Griffin, CM | April 24, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
In the 23rd Psalm, the psalmist proclaims, “My shepherd is the Lord.” I imagine that when Jesus prayed these words, he found a depiction of himself.
Mother Theresa and her “call within a call”
by John Freund, CM | April 24, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
In 1946, during a train ride from Calcutta to Darjeeling, Mother Teresa received what she called, “the call within a call.” The Lord asked her to begin a new religious community that would live and work with the poorest of the poor.
Acting Out (Mark 12:38-44)
by Tom McKenna, CM | Nov 17, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
When you hear that someone is “acting out” it usually isn’t heard as a compliment.
What is the Prequel of Today’s “Synodal Process”?
by John Freund, CM | Nov 17, 2021 | Formation, Reflections, Systemic change
Here I reflect on a “prequel” to the very first council, the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15). I will also fast-forward to the two-year-long “sequel” taking place right now.
Tolerate One Another, in Family and Community • A Weekly Reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Jan 13, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
“I thought you were above these small weaknesses. Do we think, my dear Sister, that we should never be contradicted? Do we think that everyone must give in to our wishes, and that they are obliged to find everything we do and say good? Is this not against the...
Could Andrew Garfield Be the Next “Vincentian of Wherever”?
by Aidan R. Rooney, C.M. | Jan 12, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Andrew Garfield, a fine actor soon to be seen in Martin Scorcese's "Silence," is on a journey. I'm sure there are others. Vincentians can walk with them. It was also clear that his “vast inner landscape” is, like many of ours, full of wounds and vulnerability. He...
A Vincentian View: An Examined Life
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 11, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “An Examined Life” Socrates wrote: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” The sentiment gives color and force to the desire for making a retreat, a nightly examen, a preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation, a heartfelt psalm of thanks. ...
Know the Son, Servant and Lamb of God
by Ross Dizon | Jan 10, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
The only Son is the one who reveals God. Without the Son, we can neither know God nor attain salvation. No one knows the Father except the Son. And only those to whom the Son wants to reveal the Father can know the Father. Hence, Jesus is indispensable. We need...
Death of Jesus – Vincentian Humility – God’s Got This!
by Lynn L'Heureux | Jan 9, 2017 | Formation, Reflections, Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Death of Jesus - Vincentian Humility - God's Got This! - Praying the Rosary Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast Death of Jesus At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to the death penalty. At the time crucifixion was the "worst" death. Only the worst criminals were...
Mini-Retreat•Podcast: Vincent de Paul: a True Mystic #IamVincent #famvin400
by John Freund, CM | Jan 8, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Have you ever wondered what was the secret of Vincent’s amazing life? "Vincent de Paul: a true mystic" – represents the third and final installment of our mini-retreat based on reflections written by Vinícius Augusto Teixeira, C.M. of Province of Rio de Janeiro...
Epiphany or Manifestation of Jesus to All Nations. The Three Wise Men • A weekly reflection with Louise
by Benito Martínez, C.M. | Jan 6, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
“We may also offer them at the Crib in place of the gifts of the Three Kings: almsgiving for gold, fasting for myrrh and prayer for incense. Likewise, we may present them to the Blessed Trinity: prayer to the Father, fasting to the Son and almsgiving to the Holy...
Mini-Retreat•Podcast: Mystery of Grace and Freedom #IamVincent #famvin400
by John Freund, CM | Jan 5, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Do you have any idea of the incredible gift of being loved by God? “Mystics: a mystery of grace and freedom – gift to be shared” represents the second installment of a mini-retreat based on reflections written by Vinícius Augusto Teixeira, CM of Province of Rio de...
Sensing Grace
by Tom McKenna, CM | Jan 4, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
Sensing Grace (Lk: 1:26-38) The angel Gabriel reveals to Mary that she’s “full of grace.” And so the question, what is this “grace” that Mary is filled with? There are few better answers to be had than the one in the five words that follow. “The Lord is with you!”...