From the earliest days of my Catholic education, the good School Sisters of Notre Dame taught my young schoolmates and me to bow our heads when we said the name “Jesus.”
Griffin
A Vincentian View: Recognizing the Lord
by Pat Griffin, CM | April 10, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
Each year during the Easter Season, I find myself fascinated by the idea that the friends of Jesus do not recognize him in the resurrected form.
A Vincentian View: The Company of Strangers
by Pat Griffin, CM | March 27, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
Some years ago, I read a piece that discussed how much the modern world depends upon the work of strangers for its survival and wellbeing.
A Vincentian View: A Great Symphony of Prayer
by Pat Griffin, CM | March 13, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 1 Comment
In preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis has invited the Christian community to center 2024 around the theme of prayer.
A Vincentian View: The Transfiguration – Listen
by Pat Griffin, CM | February 28, 2024 | Formation, Reflections | 0 Comments
For the last years, I do not think that I have meditated on any theme more often that listening. Most recently, the line that ends the story of the Transfiguration has attracted me.
A Vincentian View: A Thankful Man
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 24, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
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.
A Vincentian View: The Guardian
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 10, 2021 | Formation, Reflections
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.”
A Vincentian View: A Vincentian Pentecost
by Pat Griffin, CM | Jan 25, 2017 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “A Vincentian Pentecost” Like many of you, I have been thinking about the 400th anniversary year for a while. Partly, that is because of my desire to celebrate it worthily as an individual and within my ministry, but more so because I want to...
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. ...
A Vincentian View – A Christmas Homily: “Celebrating the Small”
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 28, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View A Christmas Homily: “Celebrating the Small” Each year before Christmastime in Advent, one of my brothers sends me four tickets to “The Messiah” at Lincoln Center. This gives me an opportunity to see this seasonal show with some of my confreres and...
A Vincentian View: The Vincentian Heart
by Pat Griffin, CM | Dec 14, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: The Vincentian Heart The Theology Department at St. John’s University has offered me the opportunity to teach the course on Vincent de Paul next semester. I really have enough to do, but the thought of teaching this course during the 400th...
A Vincentian View: Your Children’s Children
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 30, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: Your Children’s Children May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see Jerusalem’s prosperity all the days of your life and live to see your children’s children (Ps 128:5-6) Last year at this time after Thanksgiving, I wrote about my grandnephew...
A Vincentian View: Remembering
by Pat Griffin, CM | Nov 16, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “Remembering” “God gave us memories so that we could have roses in December.” (J. M. Barrie) That line still sticks in my mind from high school because it flows out of my sentimental heart. It reminds me of the importance of memories and their...
A Vincentian View: Human Stories
by Pat Griffin, CM | Oct 19, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View: “Human Stories” This past Saturday at St. John’s University, we launched the first of our ongoing series on interfaith dialogue. In collaboration with the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Vincentian Center at SJU will attempt to put together a whole day...
A Vincentian View: “Our” Kids
by Pat Griffin, CM | Oct 5, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
Vincentian View: “Our Kids” Founder’s Week (September 20-27) at St. John’s University celebrates St. Vincent de Paul whose spirit rests at the heart of our University. This year, the theme for our remembrance was “Vincentian Education: Illuminating minds, creating...
A Vincentian View: The Joy of Being Found
by Pat Griffin, CM | Sep 21, 2016 | Formation, Reflections
A Vincentian View “The Joy of Being Found” Our Gospel of Sunday, September 11 contains the entire fifteenth chapter of Luke’s Gospel and the three parables therein. The ideas of being “lost” and “found” and “joyful” are central in each story. Listen again to the words...