Paul ordinarily employed a scribe to write down the letters that he dictated for the benefit of his local churches. Sometimes, however, he picks up the pen himself to write a last few lines.
![A Vincentian View: Bearing the Marks of Jesus](https://b704496.smushcdn.com/704496/en/files/2015/11/fr.-griffin-reflections.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
by Pat Griffin, CM | November 24, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 2 Comments
In this year dedicated to St. Joseph, I have written several times on the way in which the Psalms can express the thinking and praying of the Holy Family.
by Pat Griffin, CM | November 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
I like the term “guardian.” It has an association with St. Joseph. Frequently he receives the title “Guardian of the Lord” and “Guardian of the Holy Family.”
by Pat Griffin, CM | October 27, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
In this year when Pope Francis has invited us to pay special assistance to the patriarch of the Holy Family, we have probably already heard the expression “Go to Joseph.”
by Pat Griffin, CM | October 13, 2021 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
One of my favorite lines in the psalms rests within Psalm 95. The prayer starts with a wonderful summon to the people to praise.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jul 6, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
Paul ordinarily employed a scribe to write down the letters that he dictated for the benefit of his local churches. Sometimes, however, he picks up the pen himself to write a last few lines.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jun 22, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
On occasion, some college campuses run a program called “The Last Lecture.” We have done it a few times at St. John’s.
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jun 8, 2022 | Formation, Reflections
Each year, St. John’s University organizes a program around the Vincentian Chair of Social Justice (VCSJ).
by Pat Griffin, CM | May 2, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “The Smell” All of us have heard the by-now famous statement of Pope Francis at a Chrism Mass where he told the gathered priests “Be shepherds with the smell of the sheep.” To render “smell” as “scent” compromises the intent. The earthy...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 18, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Promises” I have been thinking about promises. On Easter Sunday, I joined with a Christian community in renewing my baptismal promises. I am sure that many of you did as well. I rejected Satan and his empty promises, and I confessed my belief in...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Apr 4, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Peace be with you” If you have gotten messages from me, you will see that I most often finish my notes with “Peace” or “Peace in the Risen Lord” or some such variation on “peace.” Many people may feel that it is a left over from my hippie-days and...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 21, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Your Paul” At different times, many of us have probably considered the difference between: (a) reading a story and then seeing the movie; and (b) seeing the movie and then reading the story. I am sure that I saw the Sherlock Holmes movies before I...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Mar 7, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “The Power of Gentleness” Do you remember Aesop’s fable about the contest between the sun and the wind? They were arguing about who was stronger. They saw a man walking along the road and agreed that whoever could get the coat off his back was...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 21, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: "Founder's Week" In my day job, I am the Executive Director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society (VCCS) at St. John’s University. That sounds pretty impressive and it does fill up a business card. In my office, I have a terrific Executive...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Feb 7, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: "Give me your tired, your poor" When I was in grade school, I memorized lots of material for different subjects. This included much of the Baltimore Catechism. One recalled poem has been making an appearance in my mind more frequently in these...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 24, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: A Vincentian Family Sometimes it is hard not to take pride in being a member of the Vincentian Family. In my role as Director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John’s University, I have been in Kenya for the past week. I came...
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 3, 2018 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: Keeping in the Heart Some of my friends can be categorized as falling into one of two groups. In one are those people who keep everything and who are not particularly concerned with organization. Their desks are piled high with books and magazines...